![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.mijts.net\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/IMG_9428-1.jpg\" "\\"IMG_9428-1\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe party was held last Saturday on Kayline’s birthday. Stephanie did all the planning (she is a great organiser!)and we took her shopping at the market and a couple of tradestores. Nick paid and I crossed items off the list. Masses of food ingredients were purchased and we only bought lollies, balloons, party hats etc at my suggestion. I had previously asked Stephanie how many were attending – response ‘Not too many”, next question from me – ‘Maybe 15 or 20?’ – response ‘Yes!’ (with a smile). It was obvious by the food we purchased that we were feeding many more than this -but no worries! It quickly became apparent that this was not a children’s birthday party as we know it! It was a feast for the neighbours and villagers, children and adults alike! And boy do they know how to put on a feast!<\/p>\n
Several girls from the village arrived early to help prepare the food<\/p>\n
Some of ‘the boys’ came early too – but they typically just lazed around for about five hours until the food was on then they came in!<\/p>\n The birthday kids had new outfits (from the Chinese tradestore!)<\/p>\n Stephanie had a written program and there was a process to follow – obviously following local customs! Another village truck arrived, Nick’s Office staff turned up and the neighbours came until there was close to 100 people under our house – many more adults than children!<\/p>\n The food was put onto the tables (where it sat for an hour or so – they don’t mind eating it cold!)<\/p>\n Then Stephanie officially welcomed everyone (and asked me to do the same!)<\/p>\n Next everyone gathered around the cake and sang Happy Birthday – and May God Bless You (imagine that at an Aussie kids’ party!!!)<\/p>\n I’ll digress slightly here with a story about the cake – a local store has a bakery section and does cakes. I ordered one and requested just Happy Birthday and the kids’ names to be on it. When I went to collect it this is what it looked like (they obviously needed to fill the cake with writing!) – don’t you just love the ‘cheers’ at the end! I might add that the cake inside was three layers of VERY dark red, green and brown! One lady I know ordered a cake and on the order form where you had to write the message she wrote ‘No message’ – and that’s what was written on her cake – so I didn’t fare too badly!<\/p>\n After they sang Happy Birthday, there was the ‘presentation of gifts’ – everyone lined up (and it was a long line!) and little Kayline and Toshi shook hands with each person and said thank you – without being allowed to open any gifts yet – had to wait until the end of the day! – can’t see many children at home managing that!<\/p>\n Next, one of the elders from the village said a prayer before Kai Kai (food!) then the feasting began. The kids lined up <\/p>\n and plates were piled high with food! Even this little two and a half year old neighbour helped herself – and she ate that whole plate full! Many of the Nationals only eat breakfast and one main meal a day – often rice based.<\/p>\n After some time, there was the cutting of the cake<\/p>\n and my cupcakes were allowed to come downstairs – they were popular – and for many of them – never seen before!<\/p>\n The lollies and whistles were handed out and in line with tradition, Stephanie, as the hostess, had icing from the cake rubbed through her hair!<\/p>\n Nick and I had to leave late afternoon as we were going out to a curry night. We took plenty of photos so here are some more favourites!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\nI’m a sucker for those big brown eyes!!!<\/p>\n<\/a>
\none of several favourite photos of the day! love that hair!<\/p>\n