Journey to Jakarta and Beyond: This Could Be Dangerous

Natasha's 6th Birthday

Okay, I realize I'm bordering on Natasha overload with this post and that it's probably time to stop the kid pictures and try to conjure up some deep thoughts or astute observations about my life in Jakarta. But, since the Grands back home (that's grandparents, to you and me), and several other friends and relatives want to know how Natasha celebrated her birthday this year, cast and all, I'm going to post this message mainly for them. For others, feel free to peruse the pictures or skip entirely, as you deem fit.

This year, Natasha had a GLAMOUR-themed 6th birthday party. Having just been in Singapore for Natasha's surgery the weekend before, and knowing that several of her friends were leaving the country the next week, the planning for the event was fast and furious. However, with fairly little effort, we managed to pull off a fun birthday party. I picked up Natasha and 4 of her friends from school, and took them to a boutique spa to have their hair done (washed and blown dry), and a manicure and pedicure for each girl! The girls all wore sarongs for their treatments and were served lemonade upon their arrival. Then after all the girls had the full spa experience, we went back to our house for pizza, popcorn, and movies. It was like Natasha's DREAM Birthday, as she's never been to a salon for a mani/pedi before, never had her hair professionally blown dry, and was so excited to act like a "big girl" with all of her friends.

Of course, there's an obvious danger in taking a 6-year old to a spa.

At one point one of the girls was getting her hair washed and was receiving a scalp massage and exclaimed to me, "This feels soooooo goooooood!"

Yup. This could be dangerous.

The girls loved picking their nail colors - pinks and purples, mostly - and having a manicure and pedicure.

Natasha's friend DaIn was so relaxed during her pedicure, she fell asleep!

Natasha enjoyed watching the two people who blow-dried and hot-ironed her hair straight. Afterward she touched her hair and exclaimed, "It feels SOOO soft, mommy!!"