Kira's Birthday

When we went into the children's bedroom and told Kira that it was her birthday today. "It's my Happy Birthday today?!", she excited asked. She bounced off the bed and after getting dressed enjoyed a birthday treat of freshly cooked pancakes smothered in syrup! Then it was time to open the presents. Isaiah was more interested in the shiny wrapping paper than what was inside it, whereas Kira opened each present and exclaimed "look Mummy, look!" or "look Daddy, look!". She received a book, stickers, jigsaw puzzle, game, little chair and musical jewelery box.Scary family

Isaiah's bottom lip quivered and he began to cry when he saw Daddy wearing the Bat-man mask that Kira had been given. Kira put it on and the same thing happened, so she quickly took it off saying "don't worry Isaiah, gone now"! They were also both amused by the pink dressing up hair!

We planned to leave at 4pm to go to Fun City, an amusement and play park, with some of Kira's little friends. Kate had told the neighbours to be ready at 3.30pm, as Yemenis are not renowned for their time keeping! Malak and her mum arrived on time after a reminder phone call from Kate! But Susu and Masin with their mum and aunty were nowhere to be seen. We packed up the car then went to knock on their door opposite us. Susu answered but Kate couldn't understand what she was saying. 5 minutes later with lots more knocking and some shouting in Arabic, they all emerged from the hosue and we got on our way!

Segregated transportation

To accommodate the culture here, Kate drove the women and children in one car, whilst Paul travelled with our Western friends and their son in the other car. The local women said it wouldn't be possible for them to ride in the car with Paul if they didn't have any male relatives with them.It was the first time that the local children had been to Fun City and they were all so excited to be able to play on the slides, swings, see-saw, trampoline and climbing frames. Although Malak was the oldest (6 months older than Kira) she was the most afraid and wouldn't go on the big red slide or climb to the top of the climbing frame. She probably hadn't seen anything like it in her life before!
When the children were tired out and after going on the train ride and ladybird ride, we made our way back home. Some other neighbours wanted to pop in to give Kira a present, so Kate telephoned them and told them to come, to which they replied they would come straight away. We waited for a while but then got out the pink dinosaur birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday" in English and Arabic. We then tucked into jelly, cake, sweets and biscuits. The other neighbours eventually turned up over half an hour later so we repeated the "Happy Birthday" singing for them too!
There was plenty of cake left over for the next day when Kate invited the rest of the neighbours and children round for a little birthday party with lots of party games. To save lots of preparation, she suggested they all bring some food or drink to share instead of a present for Kira!

As Kira said at the end of it all "I'm 3. Next Happy Birthday I'll be 4" but that won't be for another year yet!