The Party

Yesterday we already knew that none of the invited preschool kids will turn up. Then I got inspiration from the best book ever. Remember the story of a rich man who prepared a meal (I have no idea how it is told in English) and asked all his friends but no-one wanted to come? And then he went out and asked all kinds of strangers to come? I did put an invite on Facebook and into my Estonian-speaking blog. Some friends said that they would love to come, but they were sick or had plans elsewhere (and they are the people who won't lie). But one friend sent his son who is actually in the same Sunday School class where Leader Of The Pack goes - and another family brought four of their 7 children (two were actually invited). Now Leader Of The Pack has two new friends and an adorable little girl to think about.

At some moment we had 10 kids and 6 parents in the house. That does not mean 10 times more fun. That means at least 100 times more fun, noise and mess than one child makes. I loved it although I had no time to eat anything and my back hurts. Hopping around on hobby horses (every child who wanted got one to keep - one baby sister and a baby brother showed no interest), wearing knight outfits, waving with cardboard swords and climbing up and down the triple bunk bed of our boys ... Also, we had a castle cake made of wafers and a dragon to kill. There were two wonderfully quiet moments when every child sat down (we put pillows on the floor) to eat. We grilled sausages in the fireplace and of course every child wanted to have a piece of the castle. If you are not sure if the kids will eat something you cooked, make it look cool - and everyone loves it. I never believed that before but it is true.

Leader Of The Pack asked once about his "friends" from preschool, but then he had too much fun to remember them anymore. Also, after everybody was gone and he had time to put together his new Legos (several boxes, a zillion pieces), he said: "I am so content with my birthday that I cannot be any more content." In a country where people hardly ever express big emotions this is a big compliment.

And did I tell you that yesterday we went to see the musical "Mary Poppins"? All boys dressed up in black and white. :) We all loved it and the boys even got compliments for good behaviour. I think that His Babyness was the youngest in theatre last night. He was at home with me today while "men and boys" went to church and watched happily nearly half of the Mary Poppins movie on DVD. I was making our house presentable during this and believe me, the song "Supercalifragilisticexplialidocious" is the best music to hear while sweeping floors!

Now we have to tuck all boys to bed, because I guess they are more tired than ever. I am so thankful for real friends.