Thomas turns 12!

For Thomas's birthday we planned a classic party -- pizza at Pizza Hut and a movie with his friends. Logistically, the planning of this took more time this week than my Chinese homework. There were numerous conversations in Chinese with the hostess at Pizza Hut, the movie theatre (trying to determine --is the movie in English? what time is it showing? do we need advance tickets?). Then the fun of getting directions out in Chinese and English to the Korean and Chinese parents. Then the text messages at 12:10 --"Where are you?" from a cab full of Korean pre teens. But it was all worth it when we had assembled and the fun began. Thomas unwillingly wore a crown...

The activity was make your own pizza..

And of course the traditional birthday cake. That's Bailey, a Canadian and the only other boy in the 6th grade who is a native speaker of English.

After pizza we went to the "International Cinema" to watch Kung Fu Panda in English with Chinese subtitles. Here is some lobby kung fu...the movie was appreciated by the audience, with lots of laughs. I thought the names were funny: Master Shifu (shifu means master, so: Master Master) and Wugui (means turtle) and Po (means to break something...)

Thomas with his friends..Daniel (who also brought his sister to the party?!?!)

And James

And Jason

And Kevin...

We saved the presents for home, Chinese style, and were a bit mystified when Thomas received folders and notebooks for presents?!?! Maybe Asians have a different birthday custom...

Can you guess which gift is from the Canadian? I felt a little sorry for Thomas, so even though we had a deal that he is getting his present from me back in the US -- I went and bought him a $5 knock off Gameboy game up the street which we bestowed after dinner.

The timing was right for this to be a good bye party, too. I am glad it worked out -- one more birthday party to go..on Saturday. In the mean time, we pack!!!