Birthday Party!

First...to all of you who probably want pictures...SORRY!! I didn't take my camera and I don't have a cable to download the pictures off my phone. It requires a separate purchase...

Anyway, we all went to our first birthday party today! Yah! Brandon had been invited by a classmate to attend his 4th birthday party. And those of you who have ever had preschoolers... they are ALL about attending birthday parties! haha

It was held at a place called The Activity Box. This is a place where kids...can be a kid! :) There are lots of activities set up for pretend play, a train table, a mini ball pit, etc. It usually costs a small fortune to go there on any given day, especially with two kids. So, we were very excited to be able to go again today.

Wow! The Activity Box sure puts on a good b-day party. There were lots of activities, including paint/craft centers for the kids in addition to the play area, organized games and a TON of food...all supplied by The Activity Box! The kids had a great time! The parents also went all out...putting up banners, giving HUGE and elaborate bags full of goodies to all the kids, a pinata, stickers, a HUGE cake, etc! The theme was Mickey Mouse and the parents hired both Mickey and Minnie Mouse to attend the entire party! Definitely an expat running this show! haha

The b-day boy and his parents are from Czechoslovakia. They just returned from a two month home leave...and are very happy to be back. Hmmm. We met many of the moms in Brandon's class...which is sooooooo nice. One very friendly Canadian from Quebec is on her "countdown" to leaving. haha She is looking forward to going home - permanently! "Nine months to go," she tells me. We also met some moms from India and the US. Brandon's BFF (yes, he already has one - hee hee) is a little boy from Texas. It was so cute...as soon as he arrived, he waved to Brandon and YELLED from across the room, "Hi Brandon!", and Brandon, in turn, yelled back "Hi Liam!". They were very glad to see one another. haha After all, it HAD been one whole day since they saw each other. ;)

Liam's mom and I talked for quite awhile. We both know that if the boys are going to be such good friends...well, we should at least exchange phone numbers! I found out today that the class Brandon is in, has been together for at least a year...so many of the kids and their moms know one another. At their school, all the kids move up together to avoid any MORE disturbances in their world...how very nice! :) Brandon was called "the new kid" today by several moms. haha Apparently Liam had a very good friend leave from the previous year and Liam's mom was hoping at least one of the "slots" would be filled by a child who could speak fluent English. Voila, enter Brandon! :) So, Liam's mom is very happy they have "found" each other...and I am too. Liam's mom has been here for awhile...so she knows the ins and outs of living here. Her family are also part of the Mormon Church. Being a part of something like that here is VERY helpful. You have a community before you even arrive. How wonderful...

So, all in all, we had a good time. Attending a b-day party was a wonderful way to meet more of the moms in Brandon's class. And it was such a GREAT "normal" activity for Brandon...and Ryan! Although, Ryan really only went for the food. hahaha No joke!