The Awesomest, Most Gluttonous Birthday Party Ever

When it came time to plan ImP's 8th birthday party, we were torn about how to commemorate the occasion with a sufficiently awesome celebration.  Unfortunately, her class is large enough and our house is small enough that having a party at home didn't seem like a sane option.  We also toyed with the idea of doing a slumber party with a few of her friends, but I wasn't sure how that would go over culturally with her friends' parents and we had so many things going on with my departure looming that it seemed like more of a time commitment than we could handle.

Thus, when I had the opportunity to check out the kids' room while enjoying brunch at Al Faisaliah for the first time a couple of weeks ago, I had an inspired idea to host a small gathering there.  Walking into the kids' room at the Al Faisaliah brunch is like walking into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.  It's just the kind of place I would have loved to spend my birthday if I were about 8 years old, so we booked it.

And now to share just how awesome this place is, tons of pictures:

To keep up the pretense that the kids have to eat a "real" meal before they start in on the treats, they had mini cheeseburgers.

And chicken fingers with french fries.

And cheesy pasta.

Then there's the real food.

Mini frosted brownies.

Cups of custard and jello.

Frosted cookies.

There's even fruit, for a slightly healthier treat.

But who are we kidding, even my fruit loving kids were much more impressed with the mini cupcakes.

And fancy little cones filled with chocolate and raspberries.

Though nothing really has the same jaw-dropping, inspiring appeal of two dozen candy bins filled with all of the gummy candy you care to eat.  It's all self-service here.

And for those who prefer a cold treat, grab your own cup of the ice cream flavor of your choice from the mini fridge.

What would a kid drink at the sugar buffet?  Juice of course!

EzP loved the little cups.  He likes to pretend he's drinking "coffee".  Unfortunately, it only took about 20 seconds for him to spill his first cup of coffee down the front of his shirt.

ImP and her friends appeased me by at least making a showing at poking at some mini burgers and chicken fingers before the sugar fest began.

Then, to work up an appetite they played a little Nintendo Wii.

There were two women staffing the kids' room so that parents could go out into the main dining room and enjoy Al Faisaliah's equally awe-inspiring adult brunch fare.  One of the activities offered by the fun nannies was cookie and donut decorating.  Every kid gets to put on a chef's jacket and hat.

And then go crazy slathering multi-colored icing all over their already sugar-infused treats.

EzP enjoyed kicking back and watching a movie while the girls were doing girl stuff.

The Wii was a hit.

They had a nice little nook with books, puzzles, and games.

EzP was happy to peruse a book about his favorite Cars.

Then it was the girls' turn to veg out in front of the tv.

While consuming massive quantities of candy and ice cream.

And who can watch a movie without popcorn?

Daddy joined the little man in the movie area for a little couch lounging.

Very deep in thought.

The aftermath was lots of half finished confections.  Everything had to be tasted, but even kids have their limits.

And, of course, there was face painting.

EzP regained his appetite when he saw the ice cream machine.

Finally, an hour and a half in ImP's cake emerged and we sang Happy Birthday while she blew out her candle.

But no one was hungry at this point so we took this beauty home and still haven't worked up the desire to cut into it.

I think they had a pretty good time.  

Naturally, on the way out the door the kids needed just one more treat.  EzP opted for a fruit skewer, while ImP went the more traditional route of grabbing a couple of gummy fish.

Now, if this place isn't a living advertisement of the childhood obesity epidemic in Saudi Arabia, I don't know what is.  And that's just the kids' room.  You should see the adults' buffet.  It really is a can't-miss experience here in Riyadh.  Not something I'd recommend doing often, as it's also not particularly cost effective, but it's the best brunch I've ever seen anywhere.  

Happy Birthday, ImP!  I hope you enjoyed celebrating your birthday by consuming you weight in sugar.  Now eat your broccoli, young lady! 

Happy Birthday, Baby!

I cannot believe I am the mother of an eight year old.  Seriously, the thought leaves me a little panicked.  How did we both get so old?  How can it possibly be that I have a daughter who is halfway to sixteen!  Not possible.

But whoever this impostor is who keeps calling me "mom," she's awfully sweet and awfully cute and I'm awfully glad it's my life she chose to hijack.  Truth be told, life wouldn't be the same with out her.  She really is the ray of sunshine that brightens my day.  The kind of kid who leaves you thinking you must have done something right.

I think ImP had a pretty great birthday.  To celebrate, she chose to have McDonalds for dinner, and it's her day so I couldn't say no.  EzP decided he likes it when ImP gets to pick dinner.

Orange juice and french fries?  Now we're talkin'.

Brandon took the kids to the Commissary last weekend and ImP picked out a devil's food cake with vanilla frosting, which we made last night.  I discovered another reason I prefer chocolate frosting- it's more forgiving appearance-wise.  Crummy or not, the cake was very yummy.

EzP concurred.

ImP was also quite satisfied with her cake.

Unfortunately, it appears that ImP's birthday gift (a Kindle Fire) may have been lost in transit.  We ordered it over a month ago and it never came.  We may have to choose something else for her when we're all back in the States in July.  In the meantime, her birthday party is planned for next Friday.  We've invited eight of her friends to join us in the "kids' room" at the Al Faisaliah brunch.  I think I'm as excited (maybe even a tiny bit more) than ImP.  Trust that there will be pictures!

Happy Birthday, Squimogen!

Najd Village

Next on our list of Riyadh experiences was eating at a traditional Saudi restaurant.  A friend of ours' wife was visiting from out of town so we made a dinner date to check out Najd Village.  The restaurant offers the option of either open seating or private rooms with a traditional majlis style where you sit on the floor.  Our private room had a nice fireplace (which could have been lit had it been cold outside) and traditional Arab decor.  

Our fireplace and built in shelves with traditional pottery and crafts.

The door to our room.

Functioning painted windows as well.

The center of the restaurant is open air, which is lovely when the temperatures are right and there hasn't been a sandstorm recently.

We ordered a large combination meal to share.  The main dishes were lamb kebsa and stewed camel meat.  Both were quite good.  It was so much food, there was no way we could eat it all.  If you really want the authentic experience you're supposed to eat with your hands, but we opted for silverware.

Brandon enjoyed some Arabic coffee while the kids did what they love doing most- playing on the iPad.

There were quiet moments like this, but there were also plenty of moments where EzP exercised himself running the full circle of the room.

He thoroughly enjoyed himself.

This was definitely an experience not to be missed.  If you're ever in Riyadh, I highly recommend checking Najd Village out.