While not her official birthday today, Smallsteps celebrated her 9th with her Finnish family this afternoon, and the weather did hold off, so there was a mix of indoor and outdoor cake eating. My wife did a great job baking and made a baked cheesecake with a sweet cherry sauce, which was fantastic. She also made brownies and a couple different berry pies. Then with coffee and tea, and some candy, there was enough sugar to give a whale diabetes.
Per the instructions provided, there were no "gifts" that came wrapped, just cards. And no, they weren't filled with money either. Instead, what Smallsteps wished for was time with people, so she got a trip to play minigolf with one of the older cousins, and a hiking trip with the other. And then from her Aunty and the younger cousins (who are older, but still live at home), she got a trip to a spa centre with them during the autumn school holidays. From another Aunty she got a museum trip, and from grandparents, she got a voucher to a trampoline park.
She is very happy with her presents.
She got nothing from her cheapskate parents, though we bought her a new bed a month ago which was for her birthday and, we are going to get her ears pierced (she wants them done) some time in the near future. She doesn't know that this is happening yet I think.
And by that look, I have obviously kept my job as the world's most annoying dad.
While these events are great for everyone, they are always a bit boring for me, since I am not really part of all the discussions. I can add a word here and there and occasionally make a joke, but for the most part, I sit silently observing what is happening, or in the kitchen cleaning up a bit. But, these events are not for me, they are for others, so I don't mind being on the peripheries of the conversations and I don't expect people to include me.
And it will be similar on Wednesday when her friends come after school to join for a party, but I am part of the entertainment. We are going to be making beaded bracelets and then have a fishing game (with lollipops as the fish) - and I will be behind a curtain, playing the part of the fish, in very bad Finnish. The kids tend not to know what to make of it, but they still have a lot of fun. It won't be long until I am far too embarrassing to be part of the festivities though.
But I will still try!
Taraz
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