Here, We Party Like It's 1999, At Every 6 Year Old Birthday Party!

One thing we have learned about Mexicans and the Mexican Culture is that they sure know how to throw a party. Especially a kid's birthday party. We have now been to about half a dozen birthdays parties between the kids classmates and to this point every one has topped any party we have ever attended in the States.

This last week we had two parties. On Thursday, the parents rented out a large facility with inflatables and other kids toys. They also brought in a full fledged, fully decked out Star Wars cast that put on performances for the kids. Not only this, but they hired several street vendors to provide food. I mentioned to one of my co-workers that I felt like I was at a community 4th of July celebration with all of the food options from lonches, hot dogs, burgers to more traditional Mexican fare. Truly incredible. To top it off, every kid was given a replica light saber that turns different colors with all of the appropriate sounds! (Pictures Below)

Not only do they throw great parties, they throw long parties! On Saturday we had another birthday fiesta. The mom told me it started at 1. We have learned that you never show up on time to a party in Mexico, no one does! We got there at 1:45 and were still the first people there. The mother then told me that yes the party does start at 1, but no one will probably come until 2 or 3. We sat there as they finished setting up. They told us they were having a farm as this was a cowboy themed party. We thought this meant maybe an inflatable barn and toys. No, it actually meant a farm. About 2:15 the door to the garage opened and the farm came in. A donkey, a miniature horse, a full sized horse for pony rides (Joelle took 4), pigs, a goat, a sheep, chickens, roosters, bunnies, and to top it off a llama! All in the backyard of this families house. You ever had a llama in your backyard! Around 7:30 the party was still roaring, but we thought it might be time to go. We went to leave and the host implored us to stay as the pinata had not yet been broken. So we stayed and left about 8 while everyone else was still partying away. They wore the Americans out!

With this being said, these parties have been a great chance for us to be seen time and time again by the same parents so we have started to get to know many of them.

While both of these sets of parents were well off, we were told that even families of low means here will save all year long just to throw a good party for family and friends for a birthday or some other reason. It is an issue of great pride for them. As Americans, after 7 hours we felt we had overstayed our welcome, yet our hostess implored us to stay longer. In the States, we would be ushering people out after 3 hours! They truly are honored that you are able to enjoy what they have provided and WOW do they provide. They have a strong culture of hospitality. This hospitality is something Joy and I have learned from and hope to do a better job duplicating in our lives.