The Players
Yesterday we had a birthday party for our five year old princess. I made a little scavenger hunt for her, so she had to find some of her presents (here’s a tip for you- scavenger hunts are one of the easiest and funnest and bestest ways to make anything fun and mysterious) and I loved her so much when she got the first clue.
You’ll find your first gift if you look on top of the cold food house.
Kid A read it aloud for her, and she stood for a minute before exclaiming, “I think I really know where that is!” and off she went, jubilantly, her little five-year-old legs carrying her away.
At moments like this I can barely stand how my heart feels.
I have to say that this was a good kid party, and it is proof that old dogs really can learn new tricks. The new tricks being: 1) asking for help and 2) calmly going about getting the necessary party players together.
It is my new approach to life: The Players. In Indian cooking, you have the players, the basis for almost every meal. No one told me that they were the players, but I just started thinking of them this way: onions, tomatoes, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, garlic, ginger, chillies. The concept of the players also includes the way you prepare them. So, when I think of a recipe, I think, start with the players.
I think it’s the same with party planning. Start with the players. The players seem to be: Something to eat, something to drink, something to do (with kids- games), music, decorations.
Same with making a home. Something to sit on, something that moves (plants or curtains), something on the walls, something to smell, fresh flowers, something to place your coffee cup on… and so. It helps me, because these things don’t come naturally.
We are getting on a train in four and a half days. I have many things to prepare, many many things. And I’ve been having Indian post office adventures, but maybe that’s a tale for another day.
8 comments
your whole life is one beautiful adventure
She is Journey Mama afterall, flutter.
Happy Birthday to your girl! We’re about to celebrate Poppy’s fourth. And Raphael’s first. I never got back to you, but we are thinking of trying to come in the fall, saving up time off and money for such an endeavor. We’ll let you know more as the plans unfold. I really hope we can do it. I would love to introduce my family to India, and to see you all.
I hope the journey north goes well. Are you doing to Darahmasala? One of my favorite places…. east some tsampa porridge for me. I tried to make it not long ago, just not the same. At all. So much love to you all, and prayers, and peace.
Wish we could have been there to celebrate as well. It’s probably the 1st birthday we’ve missed as we celebrated last year in BC when you arrived a few days after her birthday. Give her a birthday hug from us!
You’re on another adventure, up to the hills. With a family it must seem almost overwhelming, but it will be fun! Glad you have others to share the load!
Pictures please!
I mean of the birthday party and birthday girl!
your little girl is five? i feel astonished and happy and astonished. it seems like she was just a little baby when i first started reading here. sounds like it was a wonderful day with all the players in place
i like the way you thought out the party and i am going to use that to get the birthday party together for the boys. seems much easier now.
Many happy returns to your daughter! My oldest was 5 when we started the birthday present scavenger hunt tradition. It was a huge hit.
I never heard of “players” theory before, but I like it.
I guess that now you’ll be the travelling players.
Bon voyage dear Journey Mama!!!
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