The Piñata Report
Who would have thought there could be so many posts with the word piñata in it? This should be the last one…
So, Guerita’s birthday yesterday was an action packed day. She woke predictably early for special 5 year old cuddles and immediately wanted to know where the presents were. She was thrilled with her loot from us (remote control doll on a bike, pyjamas, activity books and a pop-up soccer goal) and excited that there were even pressies from family back home (books, stickers, another Princess dress and Princess shoes from Grandma & Grandpa!).
After a bit of time to play with the new stuff she happily went off to school to be fussed over by the teachers and her friends (the whole school sang Happy Birthday to her at “assembly”). I raced home to prepare for the party.
Apart from a minor panic when I realised I had to make sandwiches, fairy bread and fruit kebabs for 25 kids in one hour, we returned to school, laden with food, cake, piñata and lolly bags. I soon realised that having the party at school was a stroke of genius! I hadn’t expected it but the teachers took control of the whole thing and kept the kids moving through food, the game (pass the parcel), piñata and cake. They even popped in a energy-burning dance session in the middle (Very cute - all the kids jumping and square-dancing round the classroom to Cotton-eye Joe). We were able to sit back like spectators and enjoy the whole thing!
Guerita had a great time and for the most part enjoyed being the centre of attention. She is a bit of a prima donna, our girl, so she does like the spotlight, but there were times when everyone crowding round wanting a piece of her was a bit overwhelming for her.
The day seemed to be dominated by cakes. First there was the cake for the school party - Sleeping Beauty and her castle -
I didn’t make this one! And it was way bigger and more elaborate than I was expecting!!
Then there were the cupcakes to take to along to ballet class in the afternoon
Didn’t make them either!
And finally the cake I did make - to take out to dinner at our favourite place with some friends who have a son the same age as Guerita - her “best friend” she tells me.
(The photo frame cake from Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake book)
Of course, the presents were a highlight of the day for Guerita. I had fantasies of her telling me the best thing about the day was being surrounded by family and friends and then I had a reality check and realised she’s 4 5!! She did score a lot of Princess related items from the kids at school, which is to be expected since it was a Princess party and I knew there would be a few Barbies amongst the schoolkids’ gifts. Last year she got 4 for her birthday - the only ones she owns since I refuse to buy them.
This year’s Barbie haul
I accept this (grudgingly). I understand why she gets given so many. For a start there’re more of these in the shop than anything else and they only cost about $8 in Wal-mart. I never realised how cheap they were till we came here. I don’t like the fact that there’s so many in the house, but in actual fact, the novelty of them wears off for Guerita pretty quickly. Barbies are not even close to her most played with toys. These ones are relatively OK - mostly fairy/princess/ballerina styles and a couple of casual-wear versions. You know what bugs me most about Barbie - that their toes are permanently pointed to put into sky-high heels! I don’t know why that annoys me so much, maybe it just seems like such a cliche that she’ll totter around on stilettos or platforms! (Could have something to do with me not having worn heels for a very long time…)
The little doll on the end is not a Barbie, but a smaller one called La Fea which means “The Ugly One”! That’s almost as bad as the fake beauty of Barbie!
What’s that all about? I can only guess its related to the original version of the Ugly Betty show - Betty La Fea - which is a huge Colombian telenovela (soap opera) hit.
I drew the line at one of the Barbies she was given though:
This one (Kennedy My Scene Barbie) has been spirited away to be hidden in the back of the closet, because she’s disgusting! She is dressed like a tramp, has freakishly puffed up lips, make-up and “my bling bling” jewellery. I don’t ever want Guerita to look like this or dress like this, so I definitely don’t want her to play with this doll. (This one is getting dangerously close to a Bratz doll, which I really despise - that will be the next stage I think) She got one glance at it before I surreptiously stole it and she has asked about it a few times, but I’m hoping she forgets about it soon. If not, I’ll have to explain to her why I don’t want her to play with it, but I know if I do that she’ll probably tell the girl who gave it to her that her Mum won’t let her play with it.
She also got some lovely presents from her friends including a few Spanish language books that will be great for when we are back home trying to keep her Spanish up. All in all it was a great day for her and even though these things tend to be over the top (even our low-key version 
) she really was made to feel very special by everyone at school. I am often touched by how thoughtful and affectionate and loving the teachers at her school are. They really do care a lot for the kids and they do a great job of looking after and teaching them.
Oh, and Chiq had a great time too following round after Guerita and her friends and watching all the 5 year old fun. She even got a new dress from Grandma and Grandpa so she didn’t feel too left out.
So, fun for all…and I’m glad we don’t have to worry about kids parties for another 8 months!
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what beautiful memories and photos.
It looks like Guerita had so much fun.
I never liked Barbie much either …. hard when our children receive inappropriate gifts … I spirited them away too.
Can you return to the store and use the credit for a nice book ?
Looks as though everyone had a wonderful time.
I was never allowed to have Barbie in my house when I was growing up but we were overun with them when the big girls hit two!
tiff’s last blog post..When you live in the boonies…
They outgrow those things soon enough. I wouldn’t worry about them too much.
Glad it all went so well and that she had such a lovely day!
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I have to admit I feel a little overwhelmed just reading about all of that!!! You did really well and I’m glad it worked out well having the party at the school. I couldn’t see our school allowing that. Mind you, 2 of my kids birthday are in the January school holidays.
The cakes all look fabulous!!! Too good to eat!!! I made that photo frame cake for our youngests first birthday. I’ve used the “laminated picture” idea a few times since too. Print a picture off the internet, laminate it and ta da, the cake is done.
As for Barbies. *sigh* It’s such a tough one isn’t it. My DD LOVES hers and plays with them a LOT. We have a “no Bratz” rule here too. Which isn’t easy because many of her school friends are “Bratz crazy”. I’ve been so thankful for high school musical. It’s taken DD’s mind off Bratz and for the most part the merchandise has been quite tasteful.
Those Bling, Bling dolls seem to be worse than Bratz I think. We haven’t come across any (as gifts or DD asking for them) for which I am eternally grateful.
Lightening’s last blog post..A Lovely Day
Thanks, Trish - she did have a great day. It is hard to know what to do about inappropriate gifts. I’m sure on the boys side of it there’s lots of guns and violent toys I would want to avoid if I had sons. Unfortunately I can’t return it and there is a very sad lack of bookstores here.
Tiff - I didn’t really have much Barbie stuff growing up. I think I had one that the dog chewed the leg off. We called her amputee Barbie!!!
Bettina - yep, I’m trying not to, although I still worry about the lasting subconscious impression they will have.
Lightening - I can’t imagine schools back home allowing it either. Maybe a cake at pre-school. I think the teachers are happy to have a few hours where they don’t have to plan more activities! From what I’ve seen of HSM, it seems pretty tame and they’ve put thought into the “right message”. I think Guerita is too young for it yet, but when she’s SP’s age I hope that it (or something like it - probably the 7th sequel!) will be preferred over Bratz.
Sounds like she had a great time. It’s great that they let yiu have the party at the school. Wow. We’ve never seen that yet here.
That hooker bling barbie is scar-reee! Can’t you just sit down with Guerita strip the Barbie and make some new theme clothes for it like Laura from Little House or some other really cool historical character. You could read her the books and then it could be a good learning project to turn her into another person. You don’t need to worry about sewing and you can use a glue gun. It’s the activity and the transformation process that’s important.
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Looks like a wonderful day! And I love the WW cake
Penny’s last blog post..Bravo Lily!
Wow, looks like Guerita had a great birtday!!!! I love her outfit, I think it is adorable!
It was so nice of the girls grandparents to send something for Chiq too! My mum always did that for us….say if it was my birthday she would always buy my brother a special book (or soccer magazine) so that he wouldn`t feel left out. Vice versa when it was my brothers birthday (We got books……We usually got books at easter too with our chocolates!)
Her school friends and teachers seem lovely. I am sure you will miss them a lot when you go home but I am sure Guerita will make lots of new friends back in Australia!!!
Love the pictures!
Lulu’s last blog post..Kobe, Nara and Sarah…
Wow! Looks like it was a great party. There’s something a little gruesome about that disemboweled Princess pinata though…
What a bimbola* of Barbies among the present haul! Godo to hear there were at least some books among the presents too!
* this is the collective noun for a large number of Barbies.
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Awww, what a wonderful birthday! 5 years seems so old (says she who’s eldest turns 5 in 5 months - I think I’m in denial).
I agree with you on the barbie. We have 3 here so far - all presents, and that is how it will stay (presents that is - I imagine many more than 3 before we get out of that phase).
All the cakes look fabulous! Glad she had a good time!
Kin’s last blog post..The New Weekly Routine
I echo an earlier commenter - the Barbie phase dies very quickly. Blossom was over Barbie and Bratz by age 7. She hasn’t looked at them since.
Gosh Guerita must’ve loved her party. I remember all that pink from when Blossom was five (when she had a Glitter/Princess party). Again, the pink is all gone now and white and pale blue are the go.
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So glad to hear the princess party went well… wow those cakes look amazing!!!
Barbies are not really my thing and as yet we’ve not had one given to the girls, but I am sure it is only a matter of time…. as much as I dislike Barbies I am teetering on the point of just letting them happen and not making a big deal out of them and hoping they will go away… or at least that my influence on what real females look like and are all about will counter act some of the Barbie thing…. that bling bling doll is horrid though I’d be finding a way for her to accidentally die a horrible death for sure!!!
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