Jenyfer Matthews

And I mean that in the best possible way!

It’s really ridiculous how energy sapping it can be to host a child’s birthday party. I spent yesterday morning baking cupcakes (48), making finger sandwiches (64), cutting up cucumber sticks (???), stuffing party bags (40), and the pinata (1!). DD invited her entire class but many never RSVP-ed and many others were bringing siblings so I wanted to be prepared for masses. (I have no idea how many children attended in the end – I was pretty much on my own and when it was busy, it was madness. But I got rid of most of the party bags so I’m pleased.)

I had the party at her school which has its pros and cons. Pros: they could swim and run around on the playground like hooligans and I didn’t have to spend much energy on supervision or cleanup. Cons: I had to cart all the food and supplies to the school.

It was 100F here in Cairo yesterday and I was very glad to have a shady spot to set up. I kept the food in the coolers for as long as I could and still the frosting on the cupcakes began to ooze and the bread on the sandwiches toasted in the wind. Judging by what was most popular, I might have saved myself a lot of effort and only served Cheetos Puffs, watermelon, and cupcakes! As you can see, I attempted to arrange the cupcakes to look like a soccer ball. It looked much better in my head, but the kids didn’t seem to mind!

Pinata was a hit (pun intended) It was reinforced inside with wire so it lasted being pummeled 2x by each child and then made it back to the beginning again before they finally tore a hole in the top. At that point I just tipped it over and dumped it on their heads!

DD wanted to open her presents as soon as we arrived home. I am always divided on the issue of birthday party presents. So often we get a pile of inexpensive, inappropriate stuff. That’s not necessarily a criticism of the gift-giver – it’s more a comment on how hard it is to find nice things in Egypt that don’t cost an arm and a leg! I’ve toyed with the idea of requesting “no presents” but that doesn’t seem fair to DD who really enjoys the whole spectacle if nothing else.

I have to say that I was truly impressed with the presents she received yesterday. Last year was the year of board games. This year, people really seemed to make an effort to find out what interests DD had – in fact, a few of the parents even called me to ask. (Demonstrating to me that I am going to have to work harder on my own present giving in future!) Among the most appropriate and surprisingly generous gifts were a book of facts about Football (soccer to the Americans), a ceramic bank shaped like a skateboard and 50LE ($10), capri pants and a top that she actually likes (a minor miracle), and a card with 150LE ($30). DD was over the moon and already planning on what she will buy with her cash (a shiny new soccer ball). We’ll be working on thank you cards over the weekend.

Oddest gift – an inflatable rubber raft, 76″x45″. Optional oars not included (thank god!)

I’ll be going out shortly to pick up a couple of birthday gifts for parties we’ll be attending over the weekend – at least I’m not hosting them! Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow – author Amy Corwin will be here with blurbs from two historical romances including her latest release I BID ONE AMERICAN as well as a great article for writers on characterization.

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