Multiparque - 6th birthday party for Max

September 26, 2010

Today we went to a birthday party. Max said he didn't want to go before we left... that should have been my first clue. I mean my kids NEVER turn down a social opportunity much less a BIRTHDAY PARTY! However, by the time he finished making a birthday card for Liam he said he would go so off we went. Well let's just say I should have listened to him and not encouraged him to go. When his balloon popped TOTAL MELTDOWN, when someone else was playing the game HE wanted TOTAL MELTDOWN, when Liam accidentally drank his juice (and Max was brought a brand new cupful) TOTAL MELTDOWN. It was at this point Max and I left. He didn't even want to watch the magic show OR wait for a cupcake. Huh? Whose kid is this? Thankfully our neighbors, as in the floor above us, were at the party and said they would bring Maggie home later. Max was a mess. He cried and cried and didn't cheer up 'til we were home and watching James and the Giant Peach. I took his temp and it was 99. Clearly that tiny rise is an indicator of worse things to come given his reaction. But on the way out the door Maggie looked so cute so I grabbed the camera and she hammed it up. Unfortunately it is a tiny bit blurry.

In other news, I am finally posting party pix from a few weeks ago.

Max wanted a superhero party AND he wanted it at Multiparque. Well the park didn't have a date open until the second week of Sept. so we were a little late with the party but it was superfun. I love this place! This is a shot of about a third of the park.

Only in Colombia. This "slide" was a bit high and clearly has no safety features should one fall over the edge!

The birthday Batboy!

And his pinkaliscious side kick "Batgirl".

Giddy up boys!

This little ride had some sort of shocks that moved the platform up and down, and a bit side to side when pulled. Mr. Jeff said it was a bit tricky to pull but Jacob and Jonah thought it was awesome!

Fun wheel/seesaw.

Another shot of the "slide". I was much more comfortable with them climbing up than sliding down!

Lunch with a Power Ranger, Batman, Spidermen, and Mr. Incredible.

Superhero cake. I'm so sad this shot is blurry. The "must control everything" side of me sucked it up and had faith in her hubby when he said he had indeed gotten cake photos. Could happen to anyone but it does not bode well for future birthdays etc... NEED to control Michelle won't be able to have faith next time. Sorry honey!

Note the cake came out well but I was disappointed that the red layer has no spiderweb. Do you know how hard it is to pipe a spider web? For me, impossible! I tried and tried and finally pulled the sucker off. Grrrr.

Singing... unfortunately most of the kids had removed their costumes by this point. Wish I had gotten a shot of all the superheroes before they changed!

Blogger doesn't like me today!

September 23, 2010

GRRRR! I've been trying, unsuccessfully, to load some photos for AN HOUR. Not sure what the problem is so here is the one I was able to load. You're welcome mother. I know some of you have already seen this one on facebook but my mom is not on facebook and she wanted to see her granddaughters beautiful new haircut. Maggie, oh so practical, decided she wanted her hair short because she always gets food in it and then it hurts to brush. Not to mention all the tangles since she runs around like a wild child at school. No one can say my Maggie doesn't live life to the fullest. That girl is always having fun and therefore always a mess. A beautiful mess though :o)

Perhaps I will try again tomorrow for a longer post but for now I am fed-up with blogger.

Life...

September 12, 2010

Well so much for my intention to keep the blog updated. Life here is so CRAZY all the time! I can't decide if I will actually miss it next year or be relieved to have MY life back. Probably a little of both.

Today was fun. We invited some Colombian families, and 1 Brit, over to watch American football. Mike wanted traditional football food, otherwise known as health food - HA! So I made a big batch of chili, some guac and chips and buffalo chicken wings.

I sent the maid to buy the chicken wings. I mean how hard is that "alas de pollo". Pretty straight forward. She knew what I meant and off she went. Although I should have clued in when I told her I wanted about 4 pounds and she responded with "How many wings? 10?" I just figured the pound versus kilo thing was screwing up the translation. So I told her about 30 wings and off she went. When she returns Mike looks at the wings and says they are too big. I asked why and he was incredulous. Really? I mean I've been a vegetarian for 20 years now why should that be surprising. I guess he thinks I should have seen people eating them and therefore known what to ask for. Ah well. I now have a large amount of LARGE chicken wings in my freezer. Anyone got a recipe they want to share?

Have no fear. The guac and chili were awesome and Mike went to the store himself and found out I need to ask for alas de pollo marinada (or something to that effect). And the recipe I found for wings - AWESOME! I boiled them, then put them under the broiler for 15 min a side, then put on a sauce of Amazon hot sauce, butter, and vinegar. The Brit even commented they were the best he's ever had and NO DEEP FRYING was involved! And to think the hubby had lost faith in my abilities. HA!

The best part of the day though... sitting in the kitchen with my Colombian woman friends discussing recipes, babies and general chick stuff IN SPANISH and not only did I understand and participate in the conversation but it felt normal. In the past the Spanish has been such a chore I couldn't envision having actual friends that did not speak English but it has happened. We laughed, they showed me how to make aromatica, and it was comfortable and easy. Shocker to me! Oooh and for those not in the know boil a pot of water with about 3 strawberries, a wedge or two of apple, a handful of mint and once boiled top it off with a lime. AMAZING! SIF I bet this "tea" would be great for you and the taste is so yummy. We added cidron too but I'm not sure what that is in English. It's an herb I'll have to look it up 'cuz it's yummy.

Oh and while this was going on the kids were playing. Our Colombian friends have 1 child each that attend the same school, actually are in the same class, as Max. Maggie is in the other PreK/K class. Anyway Mikaela, who is very cute btw, and Max always play well together. Mikaela came out of the playroom and whispered in her Dad's ear "Soy enamorado de Max". Translation "I'm in love with Max". SO CUTE! Julio (Dad) responds with "We have a problem here." and Aida (Mom) replies "Yeah we do. Why'd she confide in you and not me?!" Me, I'm happy, she's cute and has wealthy parents. Good job son!