Henry's Birthday

As some of you may remember, Henry had a birthday relatively recently. This year he decided that he wanted to have a party and invite some of his schoolmates. Three friends were invited, and Thomas, of course.

The entertainment began with spinning the bottle to decide who was to give their present when. Everyone sits in a circle, a bottle is spun on the floor, and whoever the neck of the bottle points to gives their gift to the birthday boy to unwrap. If the bottle points to someone who has already handed over his present, then he spins the bottle again.

After this came a blindfold search. In turn, each child was blindfolded, a small present was hidden somewhere in the room, and the other children had to direct the child to the present by calling out directions. The adults' role was to make sure that paintings, plants and stereo equipment didn't come to any harm, nor did the blindfolded child.

Next in line was the birthday tea, followed by fishing. A line was cast down the stairs to the cellar and, with luck, the fisherman might catch something nice - or then again, maybe only a sock or an empty drinks can.

Below some photos of the event.

Thomas doing the blindfold search. (Note the impressive safety precautions!)

The next child kitted out for the blindfold search.

Henry lighting his own birthday candles.

The menu included Finnish meat pasties, Karelian pies with egg butter, popcorn, and chocolate cream cake, all washed down with strawberry juice.

The following weekend Henry had a second event, this time with Tiina and Lilli as the guests of honour. This party was more low-key, although equally noisy, and was afternoon coffee at which 'korvapuusti', 'laskiaispulla,' and chocolate mud cake were served. 'Korvapuusti is like a Bath Bun and 'laskiaispulla' is a cream and jam bun served shortly before and on Pancake Tuesday. Our 'laskiaispulla' was a bit late, but if it is so tasty there is no need to be too precise about dates.

'Pulla' is one of my favourites and ubiquitous throughout Finland, so much so that there is the concept of 'pakkopulla', directly translated as 'obligatory pulla;' the 'pulla' that must be eaten at all coffee events. The phrase is also used figuratively to describe things that have to be done but are not too arduous.

Tiina keeping a watchful eye that no-one takes too big a slice of the chocolate cake.

Lilli as a film star.

Unfortunately, Lilli has been having some problems with her eyes, hence the dark glasses. Her style puts current Hollywood film stars in the shade. But who does she most look like; Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich or Armi Kuusela?