Party House: Noise like nothing else

The Menace doing his thing on the dance floor

I'm sure some of you are thinking that I'm talking about something cool like a baile funk (funk dance) or a new Rio de Janeiro club. Have you all forgotten that I have 2 children under 5 years of age?

These days my parties are ones that include balloons, even more obnoxious music than electronic, and plenty of screaming children.

I went to one of these parties last night and it was a good one as far as party house parties go. You see, here in Brazil you can rent a house that is fully pimped out to be a kid's dream and a parent's nightmare. It's like sugar and noise on crack. Honestly, I don't know what I would do with myself if they didn't serve beer in these places. Better idea yet, Valium cocktails for parents upon entry!

But the kiddos love it. Hell, what isn't to love. You can jump on everything, climb on everything, all snacks are fried or full of sugar, there are video games, and costumes are almost required. Not to mention the super lame loud children's music, 300 other kids to play with, and plenty of opportunities to lose your parents and freak them the hell out.

I have to say that I secretly do love these parties. While I lament with the other parents, I feel like a big kid while there. I eat absolutely everything. You know when you are choosing your hor d'oeuvres from the waiter's tray and you see an arm dart in, grab something, and disappear? Well, that is my arm. I am that person. It's sad, I know.

Basically you show up at these parties with empty tummies and excited children. You leave said party with exhausted children, a slight beer buzz, a goodie bag, and full tummies (aka. no dinner preparations necessary that night). Not to mention the fact that you get to mingle with other parents as the children are fully occupied.

This girl right here gives Rio de Janeiro party houses a thumbs up as fun for the whole family!
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FYI: I was interviewed by a cool fellow expat Mummy in Provence and she posted it today. Go check it out: http://www.mummyinprovence.com/having-baby-brazil

Celebrating Birthdays Brazilian Style

The Candy Table

I went to a Brazilian child's birthday party yesterday. These parties seriously put the little backyard parties from my youth to shame! No picnic table with cake and presents at this party.

What you have to understand is that children's parties are a thing here. People spend upwards of R$2,000. No, I'm not saying middle and upper class people, I'm say people! It is expected to at least have the cake table. The cake table must be extremely full of decorations. We're talking stuffed animals on mini spinning ferris wheels, lights, cameras, action, and even a cake. At very rich parties, the all the table decorations will be made of candy and everything edible.

There's also the balloons, food, drinks, and beer. Yes, beers. I think most parents have the understanding that if they have to deal with the sugar induced madness of a Brazilian kid's birthday party, they deserve a little alcohol.

Yesterday's party was no different. There was beer for the parents and a table of sugar for the kids. There was also a huge climbing maze tube thing, a climbing wall, a kid's dance club, a trampoline, a mini soccer field (aka. a room with fake grass and a ball), and a video game room. All this and food galore.

You see, yesterday's party was at a Casa de Festa (party house for kids). You pay so much per head, pick your food options, and everything is done for you. Very convenient, very popular, and very costly.

I will say though, my kids had a BLAST! I too enjoyed myself and ate enough to satisfy my caloric needs for about 4 days. It was a parade of yummy fried treats! Breaded shrimp, fried and breaded salted meat, little balls of fried cheese, and much more.

Honestly, it's hard thing to live up to. My poor boys are stuck with the American Mom who is used to a couple of ordered pizzas, ice cream cake, and some games of tag. Talk about culture shock.