Happy Birthday Harry - Parte TWO

Mike & I got up before the boys, and filled balloons for Harry. Five for him since was five, and 7 more. One for each of the children of the six families adopting from Irkutsk; Anya, Renata, Sasha, Stas, Tanya, Valeria, Vlad.

When Harry finally came walking down the hallway, his eyes were like saucers, looking at the pile of gifts. He was hopin' to tear into them, but he had to submit to one tradition we weren't gonna break: pulling his ears. For anyone who doesn't know about it, in Russia, it is tradition to pull the birthday person's ears up - as many times and he/she is old. So, first I did, and then Mike pulled 5 times too. Harry laughed though it - though he clearly remembered! He then wasted no time tearing into the first package. One by one the gifts were opened, and each time his first word was "WOW". We did get him more gifts than we normally would have, but figured this day was long overdue, and while we can't get back the four birthdays we missed with him, we can overindulge him just a little bit. The gifts weren't huge, but Mike and I very much enjoyed shopping for them! His "big"gift was a Spiderman Scooter.

He has been asking for a scooter ever since he rode Skip's and since he loves Spiderman, it was perfect. He also got brand new knee & elbow pads. His were Skip's and somewhat stretched out, so we figured he was due on that one too. Even they got a big "Wow".

He also bought him a Playmobil Fire Truck since he has a bit of an obsession with Fire Trucks these days - and because it had a working firehose. Just couldn't resist it! To go with that we got a him a fireman playset which included lots of figures, hoses, ladders, etc. The two gifts together made a big impression...so did my tricking him into sitting in front of the truck so I could show him what it did...and then squirting him! Of course he got even and then some. He got me, the laptop, the television, the table..... That's okay, I had it coming - plus we're not talking a geyser, just a tiny spritz.


Next he opened this Fun2Learn cell phone. It's a great toy that teaches kids important phone numbers that you plug in. He loved it - but then again - we knew he would! He loves talking on the phone, and now he'll learn while he plays! Last but not least was a gift bag filled with treasures from Russia: a pair of boxer shorts and a pair of sox (because I'm weird and my family ALWAYS gets sox and underwear on birthdays and Christmas - long story), a box of colored pencils, (which he loved since Skip got a box for school and he's been jonesin'), a nesting toy based on a Russian Tale (the name of which is escaping me right now!) and lacing cards. On our many trips to Russia we collected a big tote filled with little reminders of the country where they were born.

Then it was Skip's turn to give him his gift - a toy he HAD to buy for Harry...I dunno, it didn't strike me as being a "have to have toy" but Harry was THRILLED and the boys played with it most of the morning! Go figure!

I have to admit that I wondered how Skip would react to all the toys and attention bestowed upon Harry, but he was SO good about it - almost proud to be the older brother showing his little brother the ropes of in regards to makin' the most of a birthday. While he opened his presents, he received his first of MANY calls, wishing him a Happy birthday. It was Grammie who was the first to call.

At Harry's request we had a "different" breakfast after the gifts were opened. Yep, hard boiled eggs and meatballs. Different is all I can say, but Harry thought it was wonderful. Around 11 we headed out as a family to the new Ocean Explorium that opened up this summer. The perfect place for boys with scientific minds like Harry & Skip. We spent a few hours there - exploring all there was to see - and then headed back home for lunch.

Much to Harry's dismay, despite the fact it was his birthday, he still needed a nap. It didn't come easy, but he did fall asleep - just long enough to keep him going the rest of the day.

During that time I made a big banner for the deck, with Happy 5th Birthday Harry written on it, and covered with pictures of him from baby to present. He noticed it right away when he got back up, and couldn't help but admire all the cute pictures of himself!

Soon after he woke up, our guests arrived; Grammy, Rena (my aunt) Nana, Grampy, and Auntie Toni & Uncle Billy, and he basked in the attention. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful, warm day, so we were able to sit outside and relax before dinner. Just before we ate, we ceremoniously let the 7 balloons go up into they sky. With each one we released (after cutting off the strings), we read the name, and asked God to bring them home soon. This was important to me, and it was clear both boys understood the reason.

Harry insisted though that we release one more balloon - a light blue one with Russian wording that we picked up this winter. He said he wanted one to go to Irina, Vova & Ksusha. Our very dear friends in Angarsk!

Once again, our dinner was what Harry requested. You see my son is a Russian born, U.S. citizen who thinks he's Italian. He just LOVES Italian food, and request pasta and meatballs for dinner! So, that's exactly what we had, along with yummy antipasto from Riccardi's and some delicious Cheesey Bread. A few more gifts followed dinner, (not from us, but from his grandparents, and aunts, etc.) and then it was time for the cake. We kept it a surprise until he sat at the table, and once again, his eyes were HUGE with excitement when he saw the cake his Poppa baked & decorated for him. After a round of Happy Birthday, Harry made a wish, and quickly blew out his candles. Once, twice, three times....yeah we did the trick candles thing and he absolutely thought it was hysterical! They must have come back on 20 times - and each time he's laugh out loud and then blow harder than the previous time! Ice Cream was "regular" or "vanilla" as the rest of the world refers to it, at Harry's request. After that it was a small pinata that his Auntie brought for him. He was very funny trying to pronounce "pinata" and I think the closest he came was "Ma-nah-na".

Once that was done, we all watched his birthday video. Everyone enjoyed it - but not nearly as much as Harry, who at times seemed surprised that we had SO many pictures of him! By then, his guests began leaving, except for his Aunt & Uncle, so we got the boys into pajamas and ready for bed. Harry persuaded Uncle Billy to read to him, and then it was lights out - but not before he received a long-distance phone call. Irina called from Russia to wish him a happy birthday. That meant SO MUCH to us - and just as much to Harry - who proceeded to tell her about his ENTIRE DAY! the only downside to the call was that I had a hard time convincing him to talk to her in Russian - and when he did try - it was as if he had never spoken a word of it before. As Irina said, he now speaks Russian like his father - the effort is there - but it comes out sounding anything but Russian! It's clear he has forgotten ALL of it. Don't worry - he WILL learn again - of that I'm certain!

As you might expect, he was VERY wound up, and settling down didn't come easy. One of the last things he said though summed it up. From his bunk bed he called us (for like the 10th time) and when we said we weren't coming in again, he blurted "I'm happy. I had a good birthday".

You earned it Kid - you earned it!

One more post to follow - tomorrow - with pictures of his day.