Danya's birthday do

So, despite nothing much else of interest occuring today, I felt that I should make a mention of Danya's 23rd birthday. Admittedly, despite my not doing anything of note, the day has been a thoroughly warm one, hailing the end of the winter season. Highs of -1ºC (possibly -6ºC) today have made it balmy weather, and everyone went outside to have a go on the entirely dry slide, which is less fun when there's no snow and ice on it to help you slide your way down.

Emily, Lara, Dasha, Chen Chen, Nastya, Dries, Ingird, Danya,
self, Vika and Maria

This evening, of course, the day turned its focus back to Danya's birthday - we had a communal meal (the 8 of us, as usual), and then cleared up as the guests arrived. In the way of guests, we only had a select few Russians (Dasha, Marina, Nastya, Tamara, Tanya and Vika), and Ingrid and Nick, who all came over, celebrated for a short while, and then left again to go sliding before the babushka closed the doors (they're getting increasingly annoyed and not letting us out as much, despite the fact that we seldom ask them for anything anymore). Obviously, all of this was accompanied with plenty of playing of the bayan, eating of cake and drinking Russian vodka (which no party, apparently, is complete without..)

Jeremy the squirrel, my present to Danya