We celebrated Noah’s birthday at school on July 12, 3 days before we left for America. We also had his friends’ party that afternoon. This would be why I haven’t had time to blog about any of it until now, 6 weeks later. 🙂
Isn’t this the coolest birthday throne? He was so excited to be the center of attention, sweet little guy.
All the kids sat in a circle around Noah and took turns bringing up their wish rocks for him. The rocks were all painted by the kids especially for Noah. As they placed their rock in the basket, they would tell Noah what they wished for him. A couple wished for him that he would never go to jail! I don’t know what that says about his behavior in class, or their particular life experiences, but I thought it was hysterical and laughed right out loud.
Next Noah got to play with one birthday sparkler. Frau Huber turned off all the lights so that Noah could make designs with the sparkler, and the other kids could admire them better. I believe he tried to write his name, due to some encouragement from the crowd.
Being pulled in the wagon while children blow bubbles and a crazy birthday song is playing on the radio was one of the few things that was the same from last year. His teachers did a really good job of making it new and fresh, while continuing some of the most beloved traditions.
Noah was able to choose two friends to play the thread winding game with him. So simple, but the kids loved it: a paper mouse was tied to the end of a string and they raced to see who could wind the string around the wooden spool the fastest. You can see in the photo that his good buddy Yahel won. 🙂
The classic game “Don’t eat Pete!”. The birthday kid hides, and the teacher sets out a bunch of candy on the cloth. All the children decide which piece of candy is “Pete”. Then Noah comes back in and begins to pick up the pieces of candy. When he picks up “Pete” he has to stop. Any candy he has in his hands is his to keep. The rest goes to the other children.
He didn’t pick up “Pete” until almost the entire cloth was empty. 🙂
The last activity before we passed out the brownies and fruit for snack was the birthday dance.
Frau Huber played a fast number on the guitar, and Noah and Yahel danced in circles in time with the beat. Every so often, she would changed up the tune, indicating that it was time for them to switch direction. My favorite part about this is the innocent, joyful way two good friends link arms and dance together. Awww!
After the children ate their fill of brownies, it was time for me and Alexandra to go home. After all, we had a jungle party to throw that afternoon! I am a firm believer that children should be celebrated and made a big deal of as much as possible on their birthday, and I am so glad that Noah’s kindergarten teacher agrees with me. 🙂 It was a great morning and definitely one he will never forget.