Birthday Party!

So today was Finni's Birthday! I got to sleep in until about 11 then I went downstairs to help get ready for Finni's party. The cake was in the oven and so I helped Koko put together the party favors. In the favors we were putting some stickers and tattoos that I was cutting into smaller groups. Finni saw the tattoos and wanted one for himself. I guess he has never had one of the temporary tattoos so we did his on his arm and it was Pirates of the Caribbean. I also helped Finni put together the boat for a playmobil set we got for the cake decorations. Koko and I talked and worked in the kitchen while the boys had their violin lesson in the other room. While the cake was cooling and the boys were getting dressed I was in charge of decorating the house with balloons. The cake had cooled down enough for me to start decorating right as the guest were arriving. I got to meet all of Finni's friends and their parents. Koko and Finni had already made the frosting for the cake earlier in the morning and had everything they wanted on the cake so all I had to do was put it together which was very easy!

Once the cake was ready to go we all packed up and headed for the train. All together there were 9 kids and 3 adults. We took 2 different trains and a bus to get to the swimming pool. There was about a 20 minute wait between the trains and the kids were so energetic that I tried to think of the games my dad played with us in those situations but the kids were not interested in the "Elephant Game" so they played tag on the platform and the adults were the linesmen. When we got to the pool the kids all changed into their swim gear and I walked with them into the pool area while Koko and Patrick changed. I was not going to get in the pool because I am getting over being sick. I was designated as the photographer/wrangler. I got to sit on the side and take photos while counting the children... it was actually a lot of fun to watch them. There was a party helper who played games with them in the pool. They played for an hour and a half then we all went and got the kids back into street clothes so that we could do the cake. I went out a head and put the finishing touches on the cake as parents arrived to pick up the kids. We all sang happy birthday and the kids devoured the cake. Koko and I didn't get any pieces because the kids literally ate all of it. After the cake was gone and we had cleaned up the parents offered to take us home so we split up into different cars and got rides home.

After we got home Patrick ran to the store to get some things for dinner and started cooking. We had breaded chicken, spicy pasta noodles with pesto sauce, and salad. Finni's friend from next door had come home with us after the party and stayed for dinner. We skyped the grandparents in Utah while we finished up dinner and Finni finished opening his gifts. Then it was time for bed so I helped clear the table and talked with Koko for a bit before coming upstairs. I skyped Natalie for a bit, then talked to my parents and then got to talk to Amanda! I have missed Amanda so much. It kinda felt like our before bed chats because it is so late here... I don't know what I would do without skype in my life.

Here are some photos of the swimming party and the cake...