Last week was Niels 6th birthday, a much-anticipated event in his calander. This is the first year he has looked forward to his birthday with such excitement; he made up a list of presents he wanted (Lego, an army jeep, superheroes…), agonised about who to invite (limited to 6 kids by his parents but eventually extended to 8), and even dictated what he wanted to eat! (hotdogs, pizza and hot chips).
This year Niels decided he wanted to invite a girl from his class, so we suggested he invite two to keep each other company if the boys’ games didn’t interest them, and that worked well. Niels had long ago decided that his birthday cake should be a tank, so that kept me busy on the morning of the party.
The day was a great success. We decided to have the party from 10am until 1 pm, because it was a pool party and if it’s going to rain over here, then that usually happens in the afternoon. As it turned out it was a gorgeous sunny day so we needn’t have worried. To keep the kids busy I bought a huge floating ‘island’ for in the pool which about 6 kids could fit on, and they played with it non-stop. After about an hour I brought out a big bag of water pistols, enough for everybody, and they were a big hit too. Later, after a noisy meal I brought out the bubble making machine which was also a big hit, and then suddenly it was time to go home. Never mind worrying about entertaining little kids, with a pool and some simple toys they do it all themselves.
Earlier in the week he'd had his birthday shout at school, providing blue cupcakes with smiley faces and flags with his name on top for his class buddies and being made a fuss of by the teacher. He was allowed to choose a couple of
special things to do; he choose to light sparklers and have a story read to him. Carl was there as well, providing moral support for his big brother and very proud to be able to sit in the big kids class for the event.
The day was a great success. We decided to have the party from 10am until 1 pm, because it was a pool party and if it’s going to rain over here, then that usually happens in the afternoon. As it turned out it was a gorgeous sunny day so we needn’t have worried. To keep the kids busy I bought a huge floating ‘island’ for in the pool which about 6 kids could fit on, and they played with it non-stop. After about an hour I brought out a big bag of water pistols, enough for everybody, and they were a big hit too. Later, after a noisy meal I brought out the bubble making machine which was also a big hit, and then suddenly it was time to go home. Never mind worrying about entertaining little kids, with a pool and some simple toys they do it all themselves.Earlier in the week he'd had his birthday shout at school, providing blue cupcakes with smiley faces and flags with his name on top for his class buddies and being made a fuss of by the teacher. He was allowed to choose a couple of
special things to do; he choose to light sparklers and have a story read to him. Carl was there as well, providing moral support for his big brother and very proud to be able to sit in the big kids class for the event. It’s hard to believe he’s six already although of course he thinks he knows more than we do by now. Every second sentence seems to start with “Actually,….” He can talk for ages about his favourite subjects like knights, vikings, pirates or Superman, reciting every fact he has ever been told. After a bit if a bumpy start at this new school here he’s scored a B and an A in his last two tests and is shooting ahead, while soon, with a bit of luck, he will have his Swimming Diploma. Fortuantley he is still a cuddly kid and loves to snuggle up for a hug. When I tucked him into bed the night of his birthday party I asked him “Are you still my scrunchy munchkin?” he answered sleepily “Yes…but actually, I’m a big kid now”.
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