Viking shields at rest during birthday tea

Yesterday was Amber's 9th birthday; today we held her party. (Picture the scene around six weeks ago, when my friend, whose daughter is a very good friend of Amber's, told me she had been instructed to make a costume for Amber's party, in the theme of 'How to train your dragon' - the book series. First I'd heard of this particular party idea. I had envisaged/decided we'd scale down to a simple birthday tea with a few friends and family.)

Anyway, it came to pass. We had a lovely time with Amber's friends (and sisters!) - ten viking warriors, who took part in shield making, scavenger hunting, crossing dragons' gorges, visiting the witch's cave and then searching for treasure in the dragon's lair.

Here, the shields are at rest while the viking warriors eat their birthday tea - typically British party fare, including mini sausages, cheese and pineapple on cocktail sticks, crisps, cakes and M&S chocolate mini-rolls. (I really only mention this, because, in an international setting, where we find ourselves right now, every party has a different national flavour and a party can be many different things. Amber's friend, also of British parentage, said of the birthday tea 'this is real, proper party food' and I took that as the highest compliment!)