A Project 13 Years in the Making
Some projects are smooth sailing. This wasn’t one of them. Celebrating my daughter’s 13th birthday wasn’t just the most important project I’ve ever worked on—it was also one of the most chaotic. Between the electric stove showdown, getting lost in the botanic gardens, and an absurdly loud sleepover, this milestone celebration was equal parts unforgettable and exhausting.
TLDR:
Chaos
Celebrating 13 years of my daughter’s life turned into one of the most chaotic and memorable projects I’ve ever taken on. Between getting lost at Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens, battling an electric stove, and surviving a sleepover that didn’t wind down until 2 AM, it was a weekend filled with laughter, frustration, and heartwarming moments.
If you’re here for the highlights: golden hour magic at Mount Lofty Summit, a last-minute McDonald’s run to save dinner, and a lot of noise. Keep reading for the full, unfiltered story.
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Day One: Marion Holiday Park and the Stove from Hell
We kicked off the festivities at Marion Holiday Park around 2 PM. The girls wasted no time claiming the pool as their kingdom, while I took on the role of head chef—a title I immediately regretted.
Now, I’m no stranger to a kitchen, but this electric stove made me question my life choices. After 15 minutes of aggressively mashing buttons and Googling “why won’t this stove love me,” I finally got it to work. But then, the water decided to take its sweet time boiling—five years, at least.
At this point, the girls were circling like a pack of hangry wolves, so I declared dinner a loss and hit McDonald’s for emergency nuggets and fries. Crisis averted, but the stove? Still sitting there, smug as hell.
Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens: A Maze with Kangaroos
Fed and fired up, we left for Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens around 5 PM, full of hope for a magical evening. And for two hours, that hope slowly died as we wandered aimlessly, trying to find the perfect spot for photos.
The girls kept the mood light by laughing at my complete lack of navigational skills, but let me tell you, there’s nothing like circling the same path five times to humble a person. Just as we finally found the spot—the one with kangaroos in the background and perfect lighting—we were hit with the dreaded “closing time” announcement.
That’s right. After two hours of getting lost, we had all of 30 seconds to grab a photo before being shooed out like unruly teenagers sneaking into a nightclub. Who thought closing a garden before sunset was a good idea? Honestly, I could’ve scaled the gate, camera in hand, but alas, I took the high road and begrudgingly moved on to Plan B.
Mount Lofty Summit Saves the Day
Plan B? Mount Lofty Summit. The summit wasn’t part of the original plan, but as soon as we got there, the frustration melted away. The views were stunning, the sunset was perfect, and the girls turned into professional posers—laughing, hugging, and forming heart shapes with their hands.
It was chaotic, it was loud, and it was everything this birthday celebration needed. Sometimes, you have to let go of the plan and let the moments happen.
Night One: A Symphony of Noise
Back at Marion Holiday Park, I naively thought the girls would be too tired to make much noise. Yeah, no. By 2 AM, the cabin was still alive with the sounds of giggles, shrieks, and what I think was an impromptu talent show. Meanwhile, I lay in bed wondering if I’d ever sleep again.
Day Two: Pancakes, Pools, and the Shopping Centre Run
The next morning, we were lucky enough to have a late checkout at 11 AM. Did the girls take advantage of it by sleeping in? Of course not. By 8 AM, they were back at the pool, squeezing every last moment of fun out of the weekend.
Breakfast was instant, lazy-man pancakes—the kind you can whip up with minimal effort and zero shame. With the girls fueled up, I transformed into their Uber driver and took them to Marion Shopping Centre. The afternoon was a blur of snacks, window shopping, and TikTok filming, and I was just happy to survive it all.
Why This Project Meant Everything
This wasn’t just a birthday party or a photoshoot. It was a celebration of 13 years of love, chaos, and memories. Sure, we got lost, dinner was a disaster, and the cabin was louder than a music festival, but that’s what made it perfect.
This project reminded me why I love what I do. Life isn’t about perfectly curated moments—it’s about the messy, unpredictable ones. Watching the girls laugh, pose, and make memories together was worth every second of chaos.
Celebrate Every Milestone with the Perfect Photos
This 13th birthday adventure reminded me how important it is to capture life’s milestones—big or small. Whether it’s a special family moment, a corporate event, or even your furry friend, there’s always a story worth telling.
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No matter the occasion, let’s create photos that mean something to you. Get in touch, and let’s make your next project unforgettable!
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Whether it’s laughter, chaos, or golden-hour perfection, I’m here to capture it all. Drop your details in the form, and we’ll get started on creating photos you’ll treasure forever. Let’s make something amazing together.