Ensenada Birthday Party

While visiting my friends Gene (Nomad Hose A) and his lovely wife Magda, I was honored to be invited to the birthday party for Magda's sister's granddaughter. It was so much fun! We arrived at large hall, filled with the chatter of the greater family. The excitement of the children was palpable. The smell of a most delicious meal was in the air, as were more yellow helium balloons than I can remember seeing in one spot - ever.

The children came in to get a bite to eat, then outside to play - either on the swings or in the ever-present inflated cage for jumping.

[Edited on 2-16-2007 by Natalie Ann]

The excitement among the children had to do with the pinata... and when oh when might it be time to begin with it?! There is an "order" to all this, you know. First all the children gather for a photo... here's the birthday girl (with the decorated stick for pinata breaking) and a few of her friends. The pinata, you will notice, is a thing of beauty.



[Edited on 2-16-2007 by Natalie Ann]

Another bit of the "order" of things is that all the children line up from smallest to tallest - and they seem to do this calmly, no pushing or shoving... in fact, if someone small was too far back in line, he/she was gently moved by the others toward the front.

First the birthday girl gets her try. Then, beginning with the smallest children, it's time to take that stick and whack! This little bit of a girl had one heck of a swing.

Carlos swings his bat so furiously that his Grandma Magda calls to all to back up, get out of the way.

There are a number of times when precious pieces of the pinata fall off and are retrieved, held closely by one of the girls. And some of the boys poke that stick right up through the bottom of the pinata, releasing small amounts of the candy at a time.

And then it's time for the big boys. The pinata takes a heavy hit... the candy begins to fall.

I never understood that one pinata could hold all that candy. There was plenty for everyone. And by everyone, I mean all the children and many of the adults... for you can see that once the pinata is broken, the action is not limited to children alone.

In the aftermath of the pinata, each child is given a "goodie" bag filled with more candy and small toys, trinkets. By this time the presents and cake are almost anti-climatic. Everyone gets cake. Time to go home. A good time was had by all.

Piñata

beautiful

photos, nena!! you sure captured the spirit of the birthday party. thanks for sharing.

What a great series...it warmed my heart.

In San Nicolas it is common to blindfold the kids, and there is a song that goes with the activity. Since the kids can't see, the men have a "dirty trick" they like to play. They'll introduce an empty cardboard box into the mix then shout directions about where to swing. The kids will beat the dickens out of the box thinking they are going to be showered with goodies at any moment!

WILD GRANNY - UH? Love that shots Hose A!!

Well, Gene, those are quality shots you took of Magda. I'm sure she'll be pleased to come home from work today, find her little bottom has been posted here, along with that pile of candy.

And yeah, Farasha, Magda is one wild granny - ever so much fun!

Vgabndo - The little song was also sung at this party. I'm hoping perhaps Gene will get it's name/words from Magda and print them here. When the song begins, your turn begins... and as it is winding down, the kids know their turn is ending and, again without a fuss, stop swatting at the pinata and quickly deliver the stick to the next in line.

Mia - Thank you so much for the compliment. Your praise holds special meaning for me, as you are one heck of a photog yourself. I've been admiring your desert shots since you first began your website.

Ken - I am rather fond of that first shot also. Thank you.

Judy - At this party, adults and kids all showed up together - which I especially liked, as it gave me time to meet many members of Magda's familia and also the children. After pinata and cake/presents, everyone headed home. Possible we had no late-nighters because there was no booze at this party.

Thank you, Lili. It was fun having dinner with you and Steve while I was in Ensenada... looking forward to seeing you again soon.

As I said before, this was one fun birthday party and I felt honored to be invited. I'm looking forward to a longer stay when I return next week... and to one really grand birthday party in March, for little Carlos. Do we ever have some fun surprises planned for him! I can hardly wait.

Here's one last shot of one cute little party attendee:

Thanks, Gene... sweet Magda will now likely put rocks under my mattress. Just you wait until she and I put our heads together and talk about this... you'd best watch your back, amigo.