Mary is celebrating her birthday today, again. 

She had a celebration three months before her birthday , in Colorado before we moved from there.

Then, three days ago, there was the chicken killing and noodles and all that…

Today will be her party for a few kids— cousins and new friends in the Philippines.

Its her first Philippine party.

Since we got here April 30th, she had been to 2 birthday parties.  The first one last May 25th was to celebrate my best friend’s youngest daughter Nikki’s 7th birthday.  Then, the second one was last June 8th to celebrate her cousin Joe’s 7th birthday.

Notice that the kids both turned 7.  And that’s why the 2 parties were both lavish affairs.  Nikki’s was a High School Musical 2  Extravaganza, complete with party planner, host, lots of games, singers, and tons of balloons decorating the Multi-Purpose Hall of Valle Verde III subdivision in Pasig.  Joe’s was a Jollibee-catered 4-hour slot at Kids At Work, an enclosed jungle gym place at SM North Edsa Mall.  He had a host, games, the Jollibee mascot, 2 other mascots (that Joe run away from) and over 200 guests (84 were officially registered as kids). 

In the Philippines, the 1st and 7th birthday are celebrated and then 18th for girls and 21st for boys.  The celebrations are as extravagant as could be afforded by the parents and it is not just kids of the same age that are invited but as many of the extended family, young and old, friends of the parents and sometimes, friends of the siblings are also welcome.

Mary thinks all kids’ birthday parties in the Philippines are like these two she’s attended— lots of people, lots of games, catered food (not just snacks, a real meal for everybody, not just the kids), loot bags, cake and ice cream. 

So, she wanted one, Filipino-style.

I’d like it American-style.  I have gotten used to the brithday parties I have given for her in Colorado, 12-15 of her friends, all about the same age, sometimes with their parents, not too many people, for 1 1/2 hours with snacks (chips, fruit, crackers, drinks), cake and ice cream, opening of gifts and party favors.  When she was 3, I had it at her daycare, at 4, at Chuck E Cheese, then at 5, for some gymnastics at her gymnastics school.   And of course, the pre-6 last April at our house, with a balloon guy for entertainment.  Not too much hassle and it’s done in less than two hours.

We compromised a little bit.  We would have games (she enjoyed these so much at the other parties), with lots of prizes (she loves getting these), food (spaghetti, fried chicken, lumpia rolls- usual party fare here and banana-Q- fried caramelized bananas- not-so-usual fare at parties here but happens to be the only Filipino snack that Mary had taken a real liking to) cake and ice cream.  And we only invited 14 kids and some older cousins and their parents.  All in all, expecting about 40 people total.  We’re going to have it at my parents’ house.  For 3 hours.

One other thing that is Filipino-style.  The spaghetti we are serving. 

Sweet, just like Mary.