Emersyn is turning double digits! She hasn’t had a big party since we moved to Shanghai, therefore, the big 10 was a good time to celebrate. She invited her class plus Kelly to a laser tag birthday party – 18 kids in total.

Emersyn got an extra special surprise when Mimi came from Hong Kong to celebrate her birthday.

The laser tag is at Planet Laser on the 4th floor of the Hangkou Football Stadium with a nice view of the football/soccer stadium. Laser Tag is paid by the person. The package comes with twelve people. We purchased an extra five people to cover the party – additional 55rmb ($8) per person. The total cost for the Laser Tag was 4, 060rmb ($600) Emersyn hasn’t had an expensive party since we left Hong Kong.

The fun began at 10am. As the kids began to arrive, they were all having fun chasing each other – and they were loud. It was good to suit them up in the gear to run in the play arena. The party included 4 games with a 10-minute break in between for drinks and a snack. Each games is for 12 minutes. In total, we had 18 players including Elle. Since they had a smaller vest, she able to play. We weren’t sure if she would enjoy it as the play arena is dark and some of the 10-year old kids are big. She loved it and played all four games. She became the red team’s secret weapon. She would sneak up on the other team and shoot them. In addition, she was a hard target because she was so low.

Jim and Emmy decided we needed two cakes for the birthday so everyone could have a big piece. I began Friday morning baking. I have made this cake for every birthday for the past 8 years. I have never had anything but a perfect cake…until this day. My second cake flopped. I took it out too early as I was concerned about it burning. The ovens get very hot and by the time the second cake went in, the oven had been on for a couple hours. I made a third!! Emersyn came home from school to decorate her two cakes.

It was a fun celebration as Emmy begins life in the double digits. After the party, we went to lunch out with Mimi. Mimi was spending the weekend with us, an extra special birthday bonus!