The tradition for runners the day before a big race is to have a pasta dinner. But last Saturday, marathoner Katie Holmes was focused on throwing a tea party for her 18-month-old daughter Suri.

Holmes, 28, and husband Tom Cruise, 45, held the party inside the Carlyle Hotel’s Bemelmans Bar, which is decorated with artwork from the Madeline series of children’s books, written by the late author Ludwig Bemelmans.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. about 10 kids and 15 ...