No I do not have 8 daughters

 

 

As the kids get older, the birthday parties (in theory) get simpler. There is no more need to hire a magician, clown, or balloon-twister – or you can just put on a costume and do it yourself and risk their friends throwing cake at you. Which is why it is important to get some great tasting cake that you personally like, in case things go wrong.

Anyhow, this afternoon went alright. I drove around with eight excitable, screaming, laughing, shouting, singing girls in the car and didn’t get stopped by the cops. We ate at Sakae Sushi without getting kicked out for rowdy behaviour – of which there was a considerable amount of, even though these were girls which, if you looked at them individually, look sweet and demure. The other patrons were staring at us in a combination of irritation and awe – irritation because of the high-pitched squeals which seemed to reverberate through the restaurant. Awe because we didn’t seem to mind, or even notice. Celest and I were hungry and trying to rush through our meal and get everyone out before the mall security showed up.

Then we took the girls to have ice-cream, which everyone enjoyed. Some of her friends didn’t really eat too much Japanese food. But when it came to ice-cream, no such problems. Although there was an incident of flying mucus which landed on another girl’s uniform causing much confusion and laughter. If I didn’t take control of the situation by making fun of it, a full-fledges spittle war would have definitely broken out. And then we would have had to keep an eye out for the mall security again.

Celest bought everyone cupcakes after that. Some of the cupcakes toppled in their little bags, which made some of the girls upset. I think they bonded with the cupcakes in those few short minutes and it was like watching your friend fall over and then not being able to get up again. It was sad and funny at the same time. These little girls, with their little emotions and little expressions are both so precious and terrifying at the same time.

I believe Shannon had a wonderful time with her friends. Especially since most of them are now in different classes given the school split everyone up (I don’t mean split them up surgically – don’t be silly, they have been sent to different classes). It was like Shannon’s birthday/class reunion for seven good friends from the class of 12/13 – plus a Shannon’s little sister who wants to get involved.

Happy Birthday Shannon. I still can’t believe you are turning nine. I still remember the day you were born and how beautiful you looked as a little baby girl. You’re still our little baby girl, nine years on.