Umbles in Cambodia: December's Birthday Bonanza!

December just so happens to be the month in which all three of our children were born, and this December was the first year of celebrating four birthdays in one month (including Jesus' at Christmas). Whew! It was quite the busy month. It's fun to celebrate the uniqueness of each of our special blessings, but one day, practicality may win out and we'll end up with one big birthday bash for all three!

Juliana's celebration (celebrated a day early) was multi-faceted: first, a trip with Daddy to get her child-size guitar (a preschool graduation gift 2 yrs ago) restrung and tuned, as the strings had all broken long ago. (She doesn't actually know how to play yet, but don't tell her that. : ) ) Then, a family trip to a Christmas craft fair called Coconuts and Holly, sponsored by a Christian NGO (non-government organization) that works with vulnerable and trafficked women, etc. Then a date with Mommy for some Christmas treats (at said fair) and finally, candles in the requested banana muffins for dessert.

The guitar shop guy fixing her guitar = happiness!

Kids Corner crafts at Coconuts and Holly

Juliana's SEVEN already!

Aslan turned ONE on the 10th, and his celebration was rather low-key. He "opened" presents (with help from older siblings) and enjoyed his first taste of cake - banana cake with lemon icing from a local cafe.

"Oohh... fire!"

"This doesn't taste like pureed bananas."

Kai turned four on the 17th, but due to a wedding at our next-door neighbor's that day, we celebrated it the night before. He requested banana bread, so I made him one - then realized that all three birthdays were unintentionally celebrated with banana-flavored baked goods! That evening, he opened gifts at a restaurant, and then we surprised the kids by going to a new (for us) indoor playground called Monkey Business. He (and Juliana and Aslan) loved it, and it was a great way to honor our little monkey!