slacker mommy files

    Today is another chance for my daughters to learn the dynamics of social interaction: they were invited to the birthday party of one of their second cousins, just across the street. Hans was celebrating his seventh birthday and his folks were thoughtful enough to invite Lyka, Kylee, as well as their cousins Joshua and Jayvee. When the invitation came yesterday, I thought that the celebrant was almost as old as Lyka so I was just happy to accompany the girls to the small party. Therefore, I was a bit taken aback when I realized that Hans was turning seven. I thought, “What the heck, it’s a kids’ party. No big deal.” Thus, we went in the gate bearing our gift-cake with my mom and three children with us.

    Inside the compound, I admit, my mom and I were a bit ill at ease. These are relatives of my husband’s, and I admit, my semi-hermitic tendencies did not help in getting to know these people. I was not about to let that hamper my daughters’ enjoyment though, so I mastered myself and just tried to let the kids have their fun.

    The festivities started soon enough with a prayer and a few introductions. We were seated somewhere in the back far from the stage. Hans and his classmates, friends and close cousins were from ages seven to ten, I think, and they cannot be bothered by toddlers. Anyway, Lyka found some toys lying around, Hans’, and took those to our table to entertain herself and Joshua. Kylee on the other hand is nearing her naptime, making her both restless and cranky at the same time. Maybe it is because of the novelty that Kylee kept trying to get closer to the stage to get closer to the clowns giving out entertainment. For about half an hour or so, the clowns dished out some parlour games like “Trip to Jerusalem”, “Bring Me”, riddles, and “The Longest Greeting.” We succeeded in getting a few prizes for Lyka while Kylee fell asleep during the game of riddles.

    As I said, Lyka is among the youngest kids in that party, but that fact did not stop her from participating in the games and having a good time. She first participated in the game “Trip to Jerusalem” also known as musical chairs. Despite her being large for her age, she was dwarfed by the other children playing with her. Still, she was game. The music started and she moved, danced, and went around the chairs. When it stopped, she sat, pretty as you please, on the chair behind her. Well, it was a good dry run, commented the clown and then real game began. Again, Lyka stood up, danced, and went round the chairs. When the music stopped, she was left without a chair. No problem. She went round again looking for a free chair. She was looking really serious. It seemed to me that she was thinking that she should sit, so there should be a free chair for her. Everyone in the crowd was laughing at this small precocious child, and some were even clapping when she went down the stairs. She was nonchalant about the whole thing and she was cuter for it. All the while, Kylee was just watching her sister’s escapade. She really was getting sleepier and crankier. Eventually she fell asleep and had to be brought home.

    Lyka’s second foray into this world of the big kids is during the “Bring Me” game. One of the items asked to be brought is a kid who knows how to dance. I shooed Lyka to the stage, me being a typical proud mom. I was not expecting any more other than my kid bringing back a new bauble for a prize. There were three more children with her on the stage, all of them much older than she was. The clown then announced that he will make the children dance to determine who the best dancer in the group is. Then the Wondergirls were singing. The children all started dancing their own choreographies, including Lyka. The crowd was laughing. Even I was laughing. More than that, I was amazed at my own daughter’s moxie. She was dancing there, however which way and she was enjoying what she was doing. She had no mind for the crowd in front of her, not for the other kids beside her. It looked like at that time, there was only Lyka and the music. After a minute of dancing, there was a vote for who was the best dancer. Two kids were left; Lyka and a boy named Restar. They had a showdown of sorts but it was obvious that Lyka was the crowd favourite. So, she won. Of course, I was the happy and proud mom during those moments.

    The party then proceeded to other games, a small break to eat, to the magic show, a last scramble for party favours and, lastly, the wishes for the birthday boy. Lyka had no interests for friends’ wishes for Hans; she was busy playing with her prizes. After she tired of that, she spied a girl in front of her sitting in a different table. She slowly made her way to the girl while assuring me that she is just fine (I kept asking her if she is ok since she can be restless when she is sleepy and she still has not had her nap). Eventually she fell in the seat beside the girl, Janna. Janna was playing with a plastic toy rifle and as usual, Lyka is curious. She was tentatively reaching for the toy, but she made no move to take it. I saw Janna try to talk to Lyka and I had no idea how they had a conversation if they ever did. Instead, I just watched Lyka in amazement and awe. Eventually, the party ended and we found our way out of the compound. Back in the street, some of the people who saw Lyka dance on stage were very vocal about their admiration for this cheeky kid of mind. I just smiled my thanks, feeling my heart light and buoyant.

    Lyka really surprised me in that party. I have always known that she was pining for the company of other children other than her sister’s, but somehow I have imagined that she would be shy and even ill at ease. What she showed me is that she has a degree of confidence that she can carry herself well among other children, even at her very young age. Well, she still has a tendency to take any toy she sees and declare it hers but somehow, she is starting to learn how to interact with other kids now. I will try to support her in this discovery, hoping she will keep on being a fun-loving, sweet girl.

    Here’s Lyka and Raster’s final dance showdown. Enjoy! XD