In Greece, on Irini's birthday, they celebrate Epiphany. When there, we explain to her that it's almost like the whole country is celebrating her, but in Malaysia things are not so simple. Most of our friends this time around were on their way back from their respective vacations when "the day" came around. Our plans to have a party with her friends, frustratingly, backfired as only one - Tara - was able to attend the festivities on the day.
Unabated, and insisting that the princess tiara be put to good use, we came up with a plan B. Irini woke to a number of colored papers, each emblazoned with a large "6" on it, pointed the way from her bed to the living room and small table where her first present awaited. It was a CD of the soundtrack to 'Frozen' (her new favorite). This began a day of color and smiles as broad as a rainbow. The CD plays continually, even as we write this post and the girls run around the house adding their voices to the crescendos and refrains. After a wonderful breakfast with Tia and Avi, Tara came over, and spent close to five hours at our place. Between that and the weekly Capoeira session (a snipet of which is below) the day was eventful, entertaining and filled with positive energy and love. Irini was in a spectacularly good mood throughout (as was Amalia) and the day included presents from the family, swimming, the making of pasta necklesses and painting finger and toe nails, and indulging in a freshly made chocolate fudge brownie (a big hit!) with the family.
After the Capoeira was over, it was back home for dinner with the Colombian gang. As the above-10-years-old crowd chatted and shared stories and kept on nibbling away, the little ones meandered their way to the living room and disappeared from sight. They were still there, but it was strangely quiet. When we peeked over each had taken over a couch and had fallen sound asleep. Irini could not have been a better day apart, perhaps, from having a few more friends around. More on that to come though!
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