Japanory

Holding a Child’s Birthday Party at Home

Sunday 12^th October 2008

Tips for holding a child's birthday party at your home? DON'T DO IT!

After Rhiannon's successful and huge party last year, we've downscaled dramatically for her 7^th birthday. We've decided to only have a handful of girls here at home, with old-fashioned party games and food.

Never again! There were tears, tantrums, arguments, bitchiness and it was all horrible, loud and stressful.

Little girls are unbelievably mean. Rhiannon has been getting a bit of aggro at school due to her cute haircut, of all things. Actually, it's not just the little girls that are mean – I've actually had a couple of mothers complain to me about Rhiannon's neat bob. Why? Because their daughters now want their hair cut in the same style and the mothers don't want to chop their darling's tresses. How ridiculous.

Mind you – check out the expression on Rhiannon's face in this photo – there's some serious attitude surfacing already, it's not funny!

Anyway, I made a mermaid birthday cake and chopped Barbie's hair into a bob just like Rhiannon's! It was a big hit, although the photo perspective makes the mermaid's bum look a bit big.

I was very glad when it was over. Goodness only knows what we will do for next year's party because I am never, ever holding one at home again – unless I can move her birthday to the summer and have a pool party or have a house with a massive garden so they can go outside and run riot. Neither of these is likely to happen though.

Tokyo Insects and other Wildlife

October 2008

Another photo-prompted post.

This is the time of year for some great insect sightings.

Look at this magnificent praying mantis. I presume it's a female due to her distended abdomen.

She watched me as I zoomed in for her close-up, her neck swivelling in a slightly unnerving fashion.

This is the Japanese Hornet - Vespa Mandarinia Japonica – it's about 5 - 6cm long. I had one in the house but my photo didn't come out well. I've included it anyway so you can get an idea of the sheer size of the thing.

And a turtle sunning itself by a lake in Shinjuku Gyoen.

And OK, this is certainly not a wild animal, but a photo of my cat, Raymi being uncharacteristically affectionate and cute. He only wants cuddles when it's raining outside, which isn't often here!