Marisa's birthday

Nicholas and family were in Japan for Marisa's third birthday on the 29th December.  I gather this is a special time in the life of little Japanese girls when they have their hair put up and wear traditional clothes and go to the visit a shrine with their family.  Michie's father sent us some lovely studio portraits of this occasion but you will have to wait to see them until Michie puts them on their blog.  This could be some time as they have very busy lives at the moment.  

 Princess cake

When they returned Marisa had a birthday party for her Macclesfield friends to which we were invited.  This was a new experience for Alistair and I.  When Nicholas met us at a the door he remarked "This is probably Alistair's idea of hell".  

Princess cupcakes

 It was held in a large industrial style building with a very large climbing area, a disco room, a quiet room and areas for different age groups. In one corner there was a cafe for parents and on one side a series of alcoves where children were seated for their birthday tea.  I stood there clutching my two "Pass the Parcel" packages and listened to the loud music from the loudspeakers, which drowned out the sounds of the many children playing, and realised children's parties have moved on.   

Candles blown out

The children had a great time on the equipment and the staff were very good at serving the tea to hungry groups. Photography was not allowed in the play areas but I did get a few pictures of the cakes and birthday tea.

Most of the group in the orange alcove

 (A few days later when it was my turn to be the helper at Marisa's Pre -school I took my parcels and we had a traditional game of Pass the Parcel.)