Birthdays Angst

Kids birthday parties is a big industry here. Parents take this event very seriously. Since our arrival we have already been to four anniversaries, and are expected to go to many more. From my now experienced eye, the parties should have the specific elements to be succesful. 
First; there has to have a table with an elaborate cake, with a theme - some cartoon hero, kids movie character or something similar to that. The cake, usually quite elaborate, should be displayed on a table, covered in decoration where sweets are hidden, displayed or integrated. There should be a background wall of a color similar to the table cover, so that the little kids family can stand behind the cake at a strategic moment - the candle blowing - and be completely bombarded by photographers. 

Second; there should be some kind of animation, usually a clown painting faces, making kids (and sometimes adults) play games like musical chairs, limbo, or other silly things. A piniata is optional, but enjoyed. 


Third; food should be of various kinds, and should be flowing unlimited. Popcorns, juices and sodas, mini sandwiches, and other light food are served on trays to little kids by an empregada or even better, a waiter. 
Fourth; something to jump on - usually a trampoline or a bouncy castle - should be rented, and used to get the kids extremely excited until the animation starts. 


Fifth; all friends from the class are invited, usually with the help of a very pretty little invitation card. Sixth; you should bring a present. (Read my post about the cost of things here, and imagine what it means to have to attend to a combination of 23 plus 17 little friends' anniversaries). 
Seventh; parents are expected to attend, it is a social event on its own. 
Eight; it has to last four hours. To which you are not expected to arrive on time (thanks god), but should departs only after the traditional birthday song is sang. 

So you imagine the pressure I feel having two little boys sharing the same birthday tomorrow. I have been mulling over this for the last couple weeks, wondering on how to approach this. How to resist this extravaganza. Afraid of it actually. Various reasons push me to fear this, the first being the gigantisimic proportions this would take if all 40 little colleagues come along with parents and siblings. A 200 person party for my 3 and 5 year old? Really, that is the norm?!