Birthday party time

Bean had a birthday party yesterday for a little girl in her class. I was curious about what kind of differences there would be between American and British birthday parties. There really were not that many. We went to an oversized indoor play area with slides and plenty of room to run. The moms and dads all waited in a big open area and about an hour into the party the kids went to the party room for snacks, drinks and to sing happy birthday while the little girl blew out the candles on her cake. So far, nothing was different than what we have experienced with American parties. But here is where the difference is - this pretty cake with candles on it - they didn't eat it. Bean came out and was upset that she didn't get cake and one of the moms said - "oh, we don't eat cake at the party - you may get a piece of cake wrapped in a napkin in the party bag at the end". Or not - cause we didn't get one in the party bag on the way out. I am not sure what the purpose of having a birthday cake is if it is not going to be eaten? In any case, I am glad Bean was able to go and have fun with some friends. Today her school is having a fundraiser - by way of a duck race in the river. And the weather is great again today - high of 26 degrees Celsius today! That would be approximately 78 degrees F. However, by tomorrow the temperature is supposed to start dropping again and by mid-week it is supposed to be back in the low 50's, so this warm spell is apparently short lived. We had to run out and buy fans for our house yesterday as their is no air conditioner, but they may go to waste after today because one of the moms told me yesterday that this could be it - the first and only summer weather. All in one weekend in May and then back down to cold again. I am really hoping that is not true, but as she was saying it, several other moms were nodding and saying she was right. Yikes.