Amalia Turns 3!

It was the perfect day. After almost a complete day of raining the day before, Amalia's day dawned bright and beautiflul. By 7:00 am Mommy was working hard on making final preparations for the cake, the decorations, etc. By 8:00 am Daddy was already out and about picking things up from school (folding tables and two ice coolers) and friends (tables, chairs, ice, etc.). By 10:00 am the set up was almost in place. By 10:30 am, when visitors started arriving, the place was close to ready (we are Greek Colombian after all!). All the while Amalia happily played with her sister and helped Daddy move things downstairs to the poolside area. The cans here. The juice cartons there. The tables here. The chairs just so. And so, when the party was underway it seemed almost too natural. 

The theme, as per Amalia's request, was Orange Chocolate. Tables were set up for painting (water color, finger painting, stamping) and the children roamed around and jumped into the water, got out and played on the playground equipment, munched on the goodies ready by the side. It was as smooth as smooth can get and the children were happy as can be. Several parents asked if we had put anything in the food, because there seemed to be a rather "under control" feel to the event, giving us time to think and chat. Needless to say, such opportunities don't go unnoticed as parents shifted their eyes from one side to the next, waiting for the explosion. No explosions. 

But there was singing!  Unlike Irini, Amalia happily received the birthday songs, both in English and in Spanish, and happily helped cut the cake up (chocolate cake with orange M&Ms, of course!). By 1:00 pm or so the majority of people had departed, but Scott and Rebecca came by and we sat around and chatted for over an hour while the children (Amalia, Irini, Avi and TTmouz) played away in the pool!  It even rained - pretty hard at times - only to add to the fun!  

Later, as the afternoon progressed into evening, both Amalia and Irini went to their cousin's apartment, and spent the afternoon with them. The naps were late. The wake-ups later still. Dinner was a good two hours after bed time is supposed to be. Sleep didn't come until nearly 11:00 pm.  It was a perfect day. :-)

Happy birthday beautiful Amalia. We love you completely!