A special day

I celebrated my birthday on Saturday. The day began with breakfast in bed and a chance to indulge in the rare luxury of reading before getting up. Mark brought me a delicious breakfast of pain au chocolat and chocolate chip brioche, and he even made my tea in my favourite cup. I read in bed for about 40 minutes (bliss!), then got dressed and went downstairs to open my cards. Mark had to pop to the bank, so he took Lily with him (he got me a beautiful bunch of roses while they were out). Tom stayed behind and helped to make my birthday cake. We have a tradition of 'Oxo' birthday cakes in my family. As children, my mum would often bake us a Victoria sandwich cake for birthdays and arrange the Smarties to make a noughts and crosses board. Sometimes the noughts and crosses would spell out OXO, so that is how they came to be known as Oxo cakes. I promise we don't put beef stock in them! I just arranged my Smarties round the edge of the cake, but it turned out really well and was popular with those that consumed it!

After lunch, we went out to a local park and had fun with the Podlings. We couldn't get Lily away from the duck pond, she just loved the birds! Tom loves the chance to just run and run, so he had a great time too. We spent a couple of hours there and had a lovely time, before heading home for my birthday tea party.

Mark took this rather artistic shot of Tom playing in the grass

In honour of the occasion, Lily was allowed to sit to the table instead of her high chair. She loved having instant access to all the food! After tea and cake, I opened my presents. I was absolutely thrilled when Mark gave me a beautiful pair of pearl stud earrings, something I've wanted for a very long time. Mark's parents and brother gave me vouchers for a new craft shop they have discovered, with the offer to take the children to the park so I can browse the shop at my leisure. I'm very excited as I adore craft shops and I've never been to this one. It specialises in card making and scrapbooking, so I will be in my element! I had many other lovely presents, all of which I had assistance in the opening of. Thankfully nothing was broken or damaged in the process!

I really had a lovely birthday, mainly thanks to my wonderful husband and children who made the day so special for me. I have been left with some special memories to treasure.