Half Birthdays

A festa

We celebrate half birthdays for the kids while we are in Portugal every year since their Portuguese grandparents miss the big events in the United States. The celebration gets a bit better every year.

Geninha had the pastry chef from Quinta da Mata make the kids a castle cake. It was wonderful. A large castle shaped cake detailed with doors and garrisons and individual bricks. On top there was a Roman Soldier and a princess. This was quite a cake. It took a full day to make.

Lipe hosted this year’s party at his new condo with a huge patio behind. The party started when we all entered the building and followed a trail of balloons into the elevator and into the condo. Lipe was busily preparing a family feast in his little kitchen. We all played and danced and talked on the back patio. Soon the kids were ready to open presents. Oh my!

Each present opened was fun and special and somehow evolved into some silliness. I’m not sure if it was the wine we were drinking or if it was just the general excitement. But as each hour passed we all progressed into a rambunctious, hilarious group. There was dancing. There was posing, teasing and lots of silly memories erupted. This was especially evident when Filinto wrapped up as a gift a pair of 1980 sunglasses that Duarte once wore. …see attached photos.

Perhaps the best part of the evening was the closing dance party! Jenna danced though a bit reservedly. Marcos, however, was born with the gift of movement. Man oh man - can that kid dance! He had everyone cheering and clapping and admiring him. Great, great fun.

The kids are now 8 ½ and 5 ½. Measuring their years in increments like this reveals to me how quickly they are growing up. They are nourished in this country with love and history and an abundance of homegrown food. They are beautiful. They are so fortunate.