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The Other Birthday Party...

Well, it was quite different from the little party I threw in Natalia's class at school—the kind of birthday we always do. It's a tradition in the girls' school to have classroom birthdays.
Some families then do a party outside of school—but we can't fit more than a few kids in our apartment, and I would never want anyone to feel left out. People often hold such parties at some other venue, but that's not what we grew up with or do now. If the girls had birthdays at the end of the May, then I could see gathering at a park and playing outdoor games—but it's already cool by September and school's in session... In December? Forget it :-) Sure, we could gather to skate, but it's such a busy time of year and you'd end up having to throw in a restaurant stop for everyone, including parents, and, well...
In any case, we had a great time. We met a restaurant on Noviy Arbat, one that was actually there when I lived here in 1991. It was next to the Irish grocery store, the only place I was able to reliably buy boxes of orange juice with my grandmother's credit card when I was getting the jitters from vitamin C deficiency. How times have changed!
There was one area of the restaurant for the kids, and one for the parents. Think small wedding reception or bar mitzvah. Great food, SUPER music, fun for the kids... Since you stay in the same homeroom class, with the same teacher, from 1st-4th grade, the kids and parents all know each other really well. It was nice to hang out. The chocolate fountain was a huge hit... Halfway through, we got a BIG surprise. All of the sudden a famous Russian pop singer, Glukoza, walked onto the little stage! Here's a video of one of the songs she sang:
The kids went nuts and had a blast dancing and singing along with her. She was really super with the kids and they all got her autograph before she left. When she first came out, though, Katya was hanging out at the table with two friends. I told her to come to the dance area, and she grabbed her science book out of her purse—wanting to get the singer's autograph on the title page... That's my K! Pop star and science all mixed together... Posted by MoscowMom at 9:45 PM 
First thing that popped into my head - "Why did she have her science book at a birthday party on a weekend?" That's Katya. She does not go ANYWHERE without a book, notebook, pen and stuffed animal.

Some party. Sure different than the ones I had for you at the nature center, McDonald's, indoor mini golf course.

December 21, 2010 at 8:20 AM 
That is the coolest thing! Thanks for sharing the song, too. My Nastya is always looking for "Russian music" and this is so totally appropriate, I'm glad to have the link!

American birthday parties have gotten pretty out of hand, too...many of them. So few people have sweet home parties; the "average" party is at some outside location...and seems to be organized to glean the greatest amount of gifts. (I suppose it might be to not leave anyone out...but other precedents have been set. There are a couple of well-known families in our parish who, when giving a party give the kids an elaborate treat (i.e. a day at their lakeside "cottage") but ask for a pair of mittens or gloves for a donation in lieu of gifts. Schools allow a treat, but not a party.

December 21, 2010 at 2:07 PM pearly1979 said...

We love Glukoza! There were just a couple of cds we brought home from Kazakhstan, and Glukoza was one of them. Definitely my husband's favorite Russian pop, whereas I <3 Dima Bilan! LOL! This is so cool!

December 21, 2010 at 5:45 PM 
I love that link!! I have no clue what she's saying but I downloaded two of her songs anyway LOL

December 24, 2010 at 4:52 AM