A 1st Birthday Party for Nathan

Last week Madam Diana’s son Nathan (or his Buli name is Awenab) celebrated his first birthday. We joked that of course he had no idea that it was a special day. Her husband lives away from them right now and was planning to come home but ended up being unable to make it so the party was had without cake. Plus another party will happen when he comes home. I brought a Happy Birthday sticker to school for Nathan but of course he just wanted to eat it. Nathan often brightens my day at school when I'm having a bad day. He is brought to the school to nurse and I usually get to play with him. Recently he started walking so now he's getting into everything of course. He's a super cute, friendly, and happy baby!

Madam asked me to come to the party and snap some photos to put on her pen drive. Chris was also invited and once we arrived at her house he prayed over their food. There were about 20 or so kids there and madam fed them rice, tallia (pasta), and stew. One thing that impressed me is there were only 5 or so adults for all those kids and they were pretty well behaved. Plus the kids just came and left on their own since everyone knows each other in the village and the traffic is minimal its safe and perfectly acceptable to let your kids wander on their own.

I couldn’t get over how cute Nathan was in his suit. Diana had taken him to market on Sunday where they did some shopping for the party including getting him a new outfit. But just like a typical first birthday party he had a few fits. Plus when they tried putting on his suit jacket he didn’t like it at all especially since the sleeves were too long. I don’t blame him especially since it’s still hot season and this day was pretty warm.

But he was much happier once his shirt was first unbutton and then they let him take it off completely. Once eating time was over the singing started. He loves dancing so was doing a little jig while the kids sang happy birthday to him complete with a tambourine. It was a nice, simple first birthday party and I was glad to be a part of it.