Claire-chan's Hello Kitty Birthday Party

Our two years at yochien is drawing to a close, with Claire going to kindergarten in the fall, and we wanted to invite all of her classmates to her "Hello Kitty" birthday party.

First, I had the cutest invitation made by a nice person on Etsy

and then I asked Mick's secretary, the FABULOUS Miss Nika-san if she could translate it and provide a form for our Japanese friends to turn in so we could get them approved to come on base.


クレア　５歳の誕生日会のご案内
日にち　：６月３日（日）
時間　：　１２時　～　３時
場所　：　米軍岩国基地内　コミュニティルーム
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So no turning back....and then I looked at her class list. And my heart hit my toes. 28 kids. 17 Japanese and 11 American. So probably take the 17 x 3 for a parent and a sibling and then the 11 times 2 for just a parent and that adds up to, hmmm, carry the 3...62...oh shoot...add in the bus stop friends.....yep. Around 70 people. Holy Schmoly.

I was reassured by Miss Nika-san that our Japanese visitors would want American food. So I ordered fruit and vegetable trays, barbecue and medium hot chicken wings and pizzas. I found this nifty tip on how to cook hot dogs on Pinterest and then potato chips and dip and puff cheetos.  Note to future party planners who are having Japanese attendees....they really only want the pizza and a few hot dogs. (We ordered more pizzas mid-party.)

Grandma Yochien was kind enough to bring some sushi and rice balls!

We are extraordinarily lucky to have beautiful community rooms that we can reserve and use for free. For the under 7 set, you can have the one which has slides, climbing things and a rock wall. But since there were going to be so many kids/adults, we also checked out a jumpee (again for free) and had that outside. 

The Japanese are very prompt and the party started at 11:55 with some coloring and playing. 

Hello Kitty coloring sheets, of course!

Then we funneled everyone through the food line and panicked a bit over the pizza, but there was plenty of food and we got the backup pizza in time. 

Then, we had the treat of the day!!!!! "Grandma Sensei" is the owner of the Yochien and she brought a kimono to dress Claire up! I took several pictures during the dressing because I had a lot of chances to do so! It took Grandma Sensei about 15 minutes to get her all dressed! Claire beamed all the way through and stood very nicely! It was because she was enjoying it so much as well as she's an overall good girl!

There were several layers and steps to the kimono!

Claire felt like a Japanese Princess!

We threw her hair on top of her head.

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the big bow! :( It was so pretty!

Getting closer to the end!

And a birthday crown!!!!

I had Claire stand on a chair and everyone gathered around and sang to her. I've never seen her beaming so much and so happy....and she is one sweet, happy girl!

Happy Birthday to You!!!!!

The Happy Birthday fan! :)

Then it was time for cupcakes!

And while no one mistakenly assumed I purchased them from the bakery....they were super cute and fun! I had made rainbow cupcakes before, but this you could taste the rainbow because instead of food coloring, I used jell-o to make the different colors. 

Miss Nika-san gave me the beautiful Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) centerpiece since I was the Mother and it was my special day too. Isn't she the SWEETEST? 

After the cupcakes and ice cream (in Hello Kitty cups, of course)

Claire with her friend Aurora.

we had more general playing and put on Hello Kitty tattoos. 

Don't you love when Moms step in and help at a party? :) THANK YOU!

We have a fabulous face painter on base, but I thought with so many kids, the line would be too long, so I went with the tattoos. It was super fun to give the kids lots and lots! 

I think Claire had 8! :)

Then we took a few pictures

Too bad we didn't get our other girls in a family picture. All of us girls except for Audrey had on matching Hello Kitty shirts! :)

Then we offered our Japanese friends the leftover food, which they gladly unburdened us of and we said Arrigato Gozaimasu (Thank you) and Sayanora (Goodbye)

All of the Senseis came! 

 and whew! We made it!

We opened a few presents

but couldn't get through all of them and cleaned up and went home for a little slip-n-slide action and an early bedtime.

When we walked in the house, Claire remarked to no one in particular, 'THAT WAS A GREAT PARTY!" 

I'm so glad she had fun! She is such a sweet girl!

Happy 5th Birthday Claire!!!!!!

I love you!