About a week ago, one of the mom's from Brynn's class told me that her daughter was going to be giving Brynn a birthday invitation that day for her birthday party. Brynn was thrilled when she got the invitation and quickly noticed that it would be a swim party. She's been talking about it for days. The other day she came home and said, "Mom, Jasmine said that it's okay for my brother and sister to come to the party too." Abby was so excited because she likes to play at the park with Jasmine's twin brother and sister who are her age. I told Abby I would have to go and ask if it was really okay when we got there.
Well, last Saturday was the party. I loaded all the kids in the car. I wasn't sure if the swim party was a kiddie pool party or if they had a real underground pool, so I didn't even bring any of the kids swim gear (goggles, toys, etc).
We arrived at Jasmine's beautiful house and walked into the backyard. They had a beautiful and big backyard with a guinite pool and gorgeous landscaping. There were a couple of big tents set up with tables and as we walked in I smelled something divine. They were having the party catered with authentic mexican food. YUM! They had cold slushie machines set up, and chips and salsa on every table...these people know how to party. As we entered I soon realized this was a family event, and that Brynn was right, it was for the entire family.
I'm wondering if this is part of the hispanic culture to have big birthday parties with the whole family. We've seen it a few different times. I loved it! I called Joe and told him to come over and to bring the kids goggles and Aaron's suit.
There were about 50 people there, all with darling little kids. My kids blended in pretty well, but since we were the only caucasians there, my blonde hair looked a little out of place. :) I have to admit, I was a little jealous of their Spanglish. They switched back and forth between fluent Spanish and English so easily. When I went to tell the chef which type of tacos and quesadilla we wanted him to throw together for us, I wished I could have shocked him with some fluent Spanish, but unfortunately, mine is very limited. I've got to get me some skills. The kids had a great time, and the food was AMAZING! I am still salivating over the spanish rice. It was different than any I have ever tasted and so good!
After we had eaten, Joe went over and got Abby a slushie and then he headed out with Aaron to put him down for a nap. The party started at 2:00 and when Joe left at 4:00 things were still going strong. The kids were in the pool most of the time and didn't want to leave until after the cake, pinata, and presents, so I stayed with them.
After I ate, I thought the slushie sounded yummy so I was about to get one, but I was nervous about whether they were virgin margaritas or not. I noticed lots of people getting some... they looked like frozen limeade. I watched everyone for about 15 minutes and noticed that only the adults were drinking the limeade looking slushies. At first I thought, "Maybe the kids are just too busy swimming to notice....?" Then I noticed a 13 year old getting a refill for her mom. She filled it to the top, and then stuck her nose down to smell it, I would have naturally taken a taste if I were her, but she didn't, so I figured they had to have alcohol in them. I was too chicken to ask any of the adults.
I noticed no one was drinking the red slushies (they weren't frozen enough yet) so I went up to Brynn's friend and said, are the red slushies for the kids? She said, "Yeah and the light ones are for the adults." Ah-Ha! Glad I didn't go get one on a whim. But I started to wonder if Joe had given Abby some of it. Hmmm! That's all we need!
When I got home, I asked Joe what kind he gave Abby. He told me red, and that he had taken a sip of the limeade looking one and it was disgusting, so he figured it had alchohol in it. Thanks for warning me, sweetie! ;)
We stayed until about 6:00 and the party wasn't even beginning to slow down. Her dad came and said, "You're not leaving already are you?" I had been there 4 hours already!!! I'm wondering how long the rest of the party lasted. These people really know how to throw a party! It was a cultural experience for us all and really fun!
Lesson learned: Always ask before you drink...and it's probably safest to drink what all the kids are drinking. We are completely naive when it comes to this kind of thing....I left wondering if it's normal to have "drinks" at parties with families, or if typically those are reserved for adult only events. I honestly don't have a clue!
For the few reading this that might not know....we aren't alchohol drinkers....that's why everything was so foreign to us. :)
10 comments:
That sounds like a great party! Your experience rang true to what I saw when I lived in Arizona for nine years. FIESTA!!! puts a whole new slant on party!!
I also think that a lot of people serve grown up drinks and kid drinks at parties, outside of the Mormon culture, anyway. Again, in my limited experience.
What a fun time you guys are having in California!
Sign me up for the next party! Sounds like that family knows what they're doing....
What a fun party! Sounds like you guys have some good friends out there. That's a funny story about the limeade!
Sounds like a fun party!! We gringos need to figure out how to loosen up and have a real party (minus the limeade of course). In all seriousness, what a wonderful opportunity to be a part of such an authentic, cultural event.
That cracks me up that you didn't dare ask about the drinks. It would have been a great way to start a gospel conversation. Not to make you feel guilty or anything. It's always a dilema when you're in the situation.
Having a few non-members in my family, I know that it doesn't matter if there are kids there or not. If the adults are to attend, alcohol is expected.
I loved hearing about the party. A lot of that is definitely a culture thing. So much fun. They're just like Brazilians, they really know how to party, and they'll take any excuse they can to party. If only we could learn from their example.
That really sounds fun. I would have been totally cluelss about the drinks too. Although, I may have gone and got one, taken a sip and found out the hard way. I think the authentic Mexcian food sounds divine.
Last year in Dayton, Hannah's Kindergarten class had a cinco de mayo party and the tamales were the BEST I have ever eaten.
Nate and I enjoyed an alcoholic drink while we were on our honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta. We ordered some virgin strawberry daquaris and we proceeded to sip them down. Nate asked me if he thought mine tasted funny and I didn't think it did. Finally he asked the server if our drinks were in fact "virgin." He said..."O...no...I forgot to make them virgin!" Hey...I didn't know what alcohol tasted like so I didn't even question it! We always laugh when we think about that story! Good for you for being so observant!
What a fun party! I remember Scott talking about the get togethers that the Spanish saints had when he was on his mission. You're right, they know how to party. And it doesn't have to be with alcohol. I remember when Scott went to a Spanish stake dance in Salt Lake with the Gomez family. He came out exhausted and sweating like crazy, but he said it was the funnest stake dance he had been to. You're right, they know how to party. Imagine how fun it would be to have a nice pool like that to have your family and friends come over and spend time with. The great part about it also is that you can swim probably about 9 months out of the year. I'm glad you took advantage of the cultural experience. Sounds so fun!
Cool party. I'd LOVE to tease Joe about being a marguarita sippin' guy!! congrats on having a boy! Great way to round out the family.
I wish I could throw parties like that! Sounds amazing, and so fun.
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