Hinamatsuri 2012

"Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival)" is held on March 3rd. This is a day to pray for young girl's growth and happiness."

We celebrated Hinamatsuri this year by starting our day off with Dance class. Sakura is thoroughly enjoying learning ballet, tap, and jazz. We took some pretty cupcakes decorated with sakura blossoms to celebrate with the girls at dance.

Our little ballerina

Pretty sakura cupcakes to celebrate Hinamatsuri with all of our friends at dance class.

Afterwards we came home, Sakura napped then we went to the movies to see The Secret World of Arrietty, who is produced by Studio Ghibli - our favorite! It was a really cute movie and we all enjoyed it very much. Sakura has only been to the movies a few times and every time, she sits still and watches intently. Of course she enjoyed some popcorn and juice.

Dressed in her jinbei ready to go to the movies.

Waiting for the movie to start.

Posing for a picture (or a million because that's what Mommy does!), before we head to dinner at Ah-So.

Our tradition is to have dinner at Ah-So for Hinamatsuri. This year was no different.

I had bought this traditional Hinamatsuri drink called shirozake for Sakura to drink on Hinamatsuri, so I took it with us to dinner and Sakura being the good sport she is, tried it ......

And Daddy tried it .... and Mommy tried it - and we all are in the consensus that is isn't good.

It was nasty!

She gave it a good try though - she sipped it a few times before declaring she didn't like it - it doesn't taste good.

On to her favorites, yakisoba and tofu!

We came home and Sakura opened her presents - the Hello Kitty Hinamatsuri behind her was her present from Mommy and Daddy, and Auntie sent her some special goodies too -

Thank You Auntie!

Happy Hinamatsuri Sakura chan - we pray for your health, growth and happiness every day, but especially on Hinamatsuri. We love you beyond measure sweet girl!