I don't know about you...but I'm feeling 42! (or, it's Andrew's Birthday!)

This morning we headed to GUQ for part one of a service project (part two is next weekend). It was the kind of service project that felt almost like cheating because there were so many people there that (from our perspective) we hardly had to do anything (I'm sure the organizers feel differently). We showed up, sorted a few things, and then before we'd even gotten into a rhythm victory was declared!

The very embodiment of "many hands make light work."

After a light lunch (and some time spent playing in the student lounge), we headed home (technically some of the kids went to our friends' house to play, with plans to meet up later at IKEA). We did some laundry and some homework. I took a little nap. So did Miriam (that poor girl work up at 4:45 am to attend a lecture...and ended up only catching the tail end of it because it actually started at four in the morning, not five. It was recorded so she was able to watch the rest of it this evening, but she was rather frustrated about her miscalculation). And...then we headed out to Festival City (where IKEA is). 

We picked out duvet covers and sifted through whatever was still available to cobble together some furnishings (there is quite a lot out of stock—we would love to see shipping passages open). I was excited to find an Arabic majlis sofa online (not from IKEA, which is going to be delivered next Monday). I love its versatility—it can be a couch or a bed! 

I really wanted to get a play couch for the kids (like a Nugget or whatever) to put in our shipment, but wasn't able to get one in time. The kids love building cushion forts—I figure that these majlis sofas will do just the trick!

Anyway, we wandered all through IKEA with our friends, looking at all kinds of things (most of which was out of stock) and selecting many other things to purchase, and then had a little dinner in the cafe (not the restaurant) before heading home for the sad little cake I baked. 

Rachel was pretty eager to get to talk to us on her first P-Day (preparation day: when missionaries get some time off of missionary duties to do laundry, grocery shop, catch up on correspondence, and relax a little). Phone calls home will typically be limited to P-Days, but Rachel's been calling a little more frequently since she's doing home MTC, has no companion, and is feeling a little lonely. 

Miriam has been doing companion study time with Rachel (on the phone). And my mom is trying to see if any ladies in her ward would be willing to take Rachel out for a walk in the middle of the day (like she's a crate-bound puppy—Rachel has been walking laps in the backyard during her class breaks). It will get better for her, I'm sure. 

And look! I don't know if you can see, but her name tags made it to her and she's now officially Chị Heiss! I mean, I suppose she was officially Chị Heiss when she was set apart earlier this week...but now she looks it!

Interestingly (to me), chị means older sister while the elders have Anh Cả on their name tags (which means eldest brother). I haven't ever really considered how these titles would be translated into languages that use honorifics...or specifics...relative to age. So this is how they do it in Vietnamese.

Anyway, it was Andrew's birthday today! He got new sheets...among other things. We're just counting the IKEA haul as his birthday gift. My birthday gift was getting rid of all our stuff (whether in our shipment or other means). Andrew's birthday gift is re-acquiring stuff (whether through our shipment, which should arrive soon, or other means). It's like we've come full circle. 

Here's Andrew with his pistachio cake (with rainbow chip frosting):

Zoë and Benjamin are holding up our trusty birthday banner that has been with us for a long time (at least in Durham, Spanish Fork, Peachtree Corners, and now Doha)! I wasn't really sure where or how to hang it in our hotel room, so...this will have to do.

We made a few attempts at a group picture:

And then Phoebe led us all in a high-pitched rendition of Happy Birthday! 

"Let's sing!" she declared.

"Okay, ready?" I asked. 

And Phoebe was ready. She picked a note in a piccolo-worthy range and started singing with such gusto that the rest of us had little choice but to join in. "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday TO you! Happy BIRTHday..."

We squeaked out that first syllable of birthday with not a little a bit of laughter...

Here's a fun tip: the starting note of 'Happy Birthday' is the lowest note you sing the entire song, so it's wise to start out—if anything—a little lower than you think so that by the time you come to that BIRTHday part you don't sound like you've been huffing helium. 

And then because we forgot to grab birthday candles at the store, Andrew good-humoredly blew all over the cake anyway (so it would feel like he blew out the candles). 

It's doesn't actually sound that high now that I've rewatched it...but it certainly felt high while we were singing it. Anyway...

Andrew cut and served the cake. Phoebe got the first slice and she just...picked it up and started eating it with her hands...

...which Rachel clearly felt was...a choice.

But Phoebe was pretty committed to the bit.

In her defense, we've been eating quite a lot of Indian food lately, often using paratha in place utensils. Phoebe is prone to eating with her hands anyway but I don't think that sometimes encouraging her to eat with her hands and sometimes getting after her for not using a fork is doing her any favours for knowing how to eat her food...

So, a pretty lowkey birthday for Andrew, but that's how we roll around here!