Shuvo Jonmuddin Atticus!

...or Joyeux anniversaire Atticus!

...or Happy Birthday Atticus!

PHOTO: Birthday boy Atticus

Today was Atticus' birthday and we had a great day. He woke up and put on his fancy punjabi top to wear to school. He also brought the first of his two cakes in with him to share with his friends (both the punjabi top and the cake are shown below).

PHOTO: Cake #1 - the school cake

PHOTO: Atticus is 7 years old!

We had planned on heading straight to Pizza Hut at 3:00 when we picked him up from school, but on the way to get him we got hit with a terrible downpour. We've actually been getting these torrential downpours every single day exactly at pick-up time - except pick-up is at different times! Usually we go at 3:00 and it rains, but Thursdays are 1/2 days and we got hit with rain at 12:30 on that day. So we should have predicted it, but of course, did not. We were on a rickshaw so naturally we got soaked. It was OK though, because Atticus had gotten muddy playing at recess so we all needed to stop by the house. We got a ride home from our friend Fu whose daughter also goes to the French school (and who we mooch a ride home from every day). After Atticus got to look over his loot (but not open them), we headed out through flooded streets to get to our pizza dinner.

PHOTO: Birthday floods

So at Pizza Hut it was pretty crowded. Eid is kind of a multi-day thing and everyone was still all dressed up and festive today. We told them it was Atticus' birthday today and they said "Oh, would he like a birthday wish?" Atticus said yes, although he didn't really know what he was getting into. As we prepared to go, it was time for his birthday wish. They brought him into the center of the restaurant (and it is a big place) and had him stand up on a chair. They called for everyone to pay attention and then sang a birthday song at the top of their lungs (the whole restaurant sang along). The song was sung in the style of part Happy birthday, part football style cheer, and part bootcamp training song. I think the picture below captures Atticus' reaction.

PHOTO: Pizza Hut Spectacle

They also gave Atticus a very nice card that all the workers signed and it was all in all really fun(though perhaps a bit more of a spectacle than I think Atticus expected!).

After Pizza Hut we headed home and opened presents before Atticus got his second cake of the day. This one was a black forest cake and it was a tasty way to end a great day.

PHOTO: Cake #2 of the day.

So Atticus had a great birthday in Bangladesh. He got to hear happy birthday in french, english, and bangla. This year will no doubt be an exciting and fun adventure for him full of new experiences. We are so lucky to have such an open-minded and adventuresome kid that can enjoy so many things with us. Three cheers for Atticus!!!