A few weekends ago we attended our first Kiwi (ok, they're Australian) birthday party. It was lots of fun for the girls and a learning experience for us all.
The party was for my friend's daughter who was turning 5. I asked if I could bring anything and she said fairy bread. "Sure!" I replied, having no idea what she was talking about. I googled it while we were still on the phone and found out that it is white bread with the crusts removed, spread with margerine (pronounced margereene) and topped with 100's and 1000's (multi-colored sprinkles). I can totally manage that. I didn't have margerine but butter worked. The major problem was when I ran out of 100's and 1000's and turned to colored sugar sprinkles instead. I showed up and people seemed confused. "Is this jam?" When I informed them that it was colored sugar, a couple of people seemed put off by it. I was thinking "WTF? Colored sugar is less refined than sprinkles!" Oh well. The kids ate it and we got to learn that fairy bread is a staple at every kids party here.
Next for some party games. The first game was simple. The trampoline was covered in balloons which apparently had lollies (pieces of candy, not necessarily lollipops) inside. All the kids had to do was pop the balloon by any means they choose to get the candy out. Most kids just sat on them but I saw several laying down on them and biting them. Whatever it takes right?
Pass the parcel was up next. This is a cute idea and also a staple at parties here. You buy a small gift (or two in this case), wrap it in wrapping paper, then start wrapping it with newspaper placing a lollie or other small prize in between each layer of newspaper. Repeat this so there are many layers, hopefully enough that everyone will get a small prize. Have all the kids sit in a circle and start the parcels on either end of the circle. Play some music and have the kids pass the parcel until the music stops. Whomever is holding the parcel gets to unwrap a layer and collect a treat. Like musical chairs but everyone wins! Also the last kid to get the package keeps the little gift inside. It's a very cute game but was hard for my girls to grasp that they didn't get to keep the present once it was passed to them. Or in Sophie's case, that it's not hot potato and you don't have to move it so quickly that you never get a turn opening it. It all worked out and she got a special treat from the mum after the game was over but man, it's hard watching your child's disappointed face during those games.
I've been feeling like we are acclimated but each time we do regular, everyday things, I learn something new.
The party was for my friend's daughter who was turning 5. I asked if I could bring anything and she said fairy bread. "Sure!" I replied, having no idea what she was talking about. I googled it while we were still on the phone and found out that it is white bread with the crusts removed, spread with margerine (pronounced margereene) and topped with 100's and 1000's (multi-colored sprinkles). I can totally manage that. I didn't have margerine but butter worked. The major problem was when I ran out of 100's and 1000's and turned to colored sugar sprinkles instead. I showed up and people seemed confused. "Is this jam?" When I informed them that it was colored sugar, a couple of people seemed put off by it. I was thinking "WTF? Colored sugar is less refined than sprinkles!" Oh well. The kids ate it and we got to learn that fairy bread is a staple at every kids party here.
Next for some party games. The first game was simple. The trampoline was covered in balloons which apparently had lollies (pieces of candy, not necessarily lollipops) inside. All the kids had to do was pop the balloon by any means they choose to get the candy out. Most kids just sat on them but I saw several laying down on them and biting them. Whatever it takes right?
Pass the parcel was up next. This is a cute idea and also a staple at parties here. You buy a small gift (or two in this case), wrap it in wrapping paper, then start wrapping it with newspaper placing a lollie or other small prize in between each layer of newspaper. Repeat this so there are many layers, hopefully enough that everyone will get a small prize. Have all the kids sit in a circle and start the parcels on either end of the circle. Play some music and have the kids pass the parcel until the music stops. Whomever is holding the parcel gets to unwrap a layer and collect a treat. Like musical chairs but everyone wins! Also the last kid to get the package keeps the little gift inside. It's a very cute game but was hard for my girls to grasp that they didn't get to keep the present once it was passed to them. Or in Sophie's case, that it's not hot potato and you don't have to move it so quickly that you never get a turn opening it. It all worked out and she got a special treat from the mum after the game was over but man, it's hard watching your child's disappointed face during those games.
I've been feeling like we are acclimated but each time we do regular, everyday things, I learn something new.
