9 de Julio

Today is Paul's 1st birthday!  The whole country celebrated with us, since it is also Argentina's Independence Day. 

The first thing we had to do was go downtown to take a picture of Paul on the "widest street in the world," Avenida 9 de Julio.  How many kids get to spend their birthday standing on a street named after their birthday??

Unfortunately there was construction going on, so it's not very picturesque.  The picture on the building in back is of Eva Peron.

(Picture taken from http://argentina.pordescubrir.com/la-avenida-9-de-julio.html so you get the idea.)

There was also supposed to be a parade downtown.  We looked at some old cars on display, watched a few horses go by, saw some folk dancers, and then left.  It was pretty cold.  I don't know if parades are just different here than in the states, or if the main event wasn't until later.  There weren't huge crowds like I'm used to, and most of the activity seemed to be happening in one place by the capitol building.

Dallin especially liked the car exhibit.

Dallin and "Lightning McQueen"

 

Dallin and "Dinoco"

Dallin and "Professor Z"

 

 Dallin and "Chick Hicks"

 

 Dallin and "Lizzy"

  

 Sienna with "Luigi"

We have many other car pictures... but you get the idea.

 

 

 

Next on the agenda was an activity at the church: empanadas and pizza, followed by a talent show.  Some of the highlights included a traditional dance by a Peruvian couple (very well done, they do it professionally), a mock fashion show by the Young Women (with crazy hairdos and lipstick), and a skit of a singing competition.  The last event was quite humorous, even though we didn't understand all of what was being said or sung.

Paul tried some ceviche (a Peruvian dish... apparently there are many Peruvians in the ward).

One of the kids' Primary teachers.  She is very friendly, even though Paul is trying his hardest to get away from her.

Back at home we celebrated Paul's birthday.  His cake is the Argentine flag.  Bryan went to the store the night before to get some blue sprinkles that I had seen there previously, but they were all gone.  So after searching around a few nearby shops he came home with blue ice cream.  Good 'nuf.

Paul liked the lemon peel sun just as much as the cake.  He made some good faces at first, but then happily chewed on it for a while and got mad when we took him down for presents.

His siblings each made cards or pictures, or in Sienna's case, a replica of Avenida 9 de Julio.

I'd say it was a pretty eventful birthday.  One that he's sure to never remember.