Laowai

Well we did it – we pulled off our first big birthday party. I really liked getting ready for the party. Planning the decorations and activities with Bea was great fun:

Penguin bowling (in case you think I’m brilliant – I’m not – I just get ideas on Pintrest)

We made a pinata

And the cake – my favorite part. I used Grandma Dice’s oh so reliable chocolate cake recipe with cream cheese frosting. And I made penguins out of big chocolate covered marshmallows that I bought. 

She liked it

The decorations – just quick paper decorations to hang from the ceiling. We also had a craft for the kids – they each decorated silly paper glasses like these. And we made little goody bags for the kids to take home – Bea was so, so excited to put those together.

And then it was time for the party. I think it went alright… but who knows. I spent a lot of time not understanding what little kids were trying to tell me. I tried to get Bea to translate for me but she will only do so much of that. Frustrating. The pinata went pretty well but Brian and I were a nervous wreck because there were so many close calls with the swinging stick just missing a kid’s head. At least they knew what to do with it. There was a moment of panic when all the kids reeeaaally wanted a marshmallow penguin from the top of the cake. And then all ten kids just ran around like loonies for the rest of the party – but I think that’s normal right???

I told Brian – I’m glad I don’t have to do that again. I don’t mean all the fun prep or having a party – I just mean having a party with a bunch of (sweet) Swiss German speaking kids. I want to be able to talk to the kids – really talk to them.

So Bea is a very happy almost six year old and I am glad it’s done and dusted.