Claudio!

Water balloon toss

Our friend Claudio, a newly-minted 3-year-old, wins the award for the first birthday party of our new and different life here in Cambridge. We attended his fete today, where we learned a host of new party games (the kids were MOST confused and intrigued by "pass the parcel" (am not making this up)....game is much like our Hot Potato, only when the music stops and you're left holding the wrapped blob, you peel off a layer to reveal a small favor.  There was a moon bounce, a home-made cake, cucumber finger sandwiches (!) and a some water balloons for tossing. And the kids were all just delighted.

Paul pitches in

Playing "pass the parcel"

Becky (right) and Claudio's cake (akin to a carrot cake)

Claudio blows out his candles

We met some lovely couples at the party (some of whom had already heard of us (!?!), which just proves how really small this town is). Happily, I felt like we made a few more connections (my mommy friends at home will be happy to hear I've been invited to join a new "moms night out" clique!). Paul even met a few dads he really like. We owe the Balzanos a debt for providing such a soft social landing pad.