Sunday, October 27, 2013

Five Minute Friday: Together

Today was birthday party day at our house.  We're not used to celebrating birthdays in the fall, but it's just as well because on this side of the equator, October lands us square in the middle of spring.

Stacey turned fifteen yesterday and today fourteen of her classmates joined her to celebrate.  The party started off kind of slow; Stacey had requested a scavenger hunt, and we didn't want everyone to leave the house before the last few had arrived.  So, the kids sat around, talked, and took turns playing Wii.  Virtual balls were bowled and hit, virtual cars were raced around virtual tracks, and real food was consumed.

Lots of it.

The schedule was changed (because so-and-so was late, and then because these four had to leave early for a band practice), and we ended up lighting the candles on the cake before the hunt instead of after.  These kids, several of whom are in my high school choir, sang what amounted to an impromptu dirge followed by a rather pathetic set of "hip-hip-hoorays," and then sugar was consumed.

Lots of it.

Finally, after ingesting the required energy, I sent them off on their merry way to gather random items, take random photos, and record random videos.

One hour and fifteen minutes later they returned, laughing and smiling, soaking wet from running around in the rain, with grass and mud covering their bare feet, and with items, pictures, and videos.

Lots of them.

While I downloaded them to the computer for playback, the kids gathered around the kitchen table to watch the birthday girl open her gifts.

"I love it that the bar is set so low," commented my husband with a smile.

He meant it, too.  I kid you not ...




A notepad and a set of rub-on tattoos.

A package of candy.

Fifteen kina (approximately $6.43).

A Smiggle eraser and another notepad.


A K10 (approx $4.28) pre-paid cell phone card.

A can of cherry coke.

And handmade cards.

Lots of them.



It wouldn't be out of the question for more than one of these gifts to have been re-gifted from a previous birthday party, either.

Awesome.


But, these kids don't care, which only makes it that much more awesome.  


So, what do these kids care about?

They spent the day together.





Five Minute Friday

Written in conjunction with a community of writers who meet together weekly to write for five minutes on a prompt provided by Lisa Jo Baker.  Click the button above to learn more, read more entries, or join in the fun.  

3 comments :

  1. This is unique compared to what most kids and what we have in our part of the world. Kind of what we had or didn't have or didn't miss because of had other things to keep us entertained and busy when we were growing up. With smaller families and only children or computers and lack of social interaction makies it a different world today. You all are blessed in so many ways that most people here would not understand or comprehend what they are missing in their families. Material things and conveniences bring what, a sometimes lazy and selfish attitude and is not what makes a heart filled with gratitude or blessing . Really enjoy reading about your life in another part of the world and a refreshing outlook on raising kids in 2013 in another culture that is maybe better in a lot of ways. Simply is good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I love the simplicity of life here and feel blessed that the kids get to grow up i that. It's not perfect either, but there are definite benefits. :) Wish I knew who you were, but either way, thanks for stopping by! :)

      Delete
  2. It sounds like they all found the real reason for celebrating. We all need to be thankful whenever we are together. It sounds like a very sweet time!

    ReplyDelete



We are missionaries serving God and the task of Bible translation by serving the missionary community in Papua New Guinea through Personnel Administration and MK Education. We thank you for your prayers!



For the Bibleless Peoples of the World ...


(Updated 13 April 2013)