A Birthday Barbecue

My Dad's birthday is three days after Christmas and since my parents were staying with us for Christmas we were able to spend it with him this year. We decided to be a little different and celebrate with a winter barbecue. With a December birthday, Dad had never had a barbecue on his birthday before, so we were pleased to be able to give him a first at the age of 62! Starting the barbecue was no mean feat as we think the coal had got a bit damp from being stored in the conservatory. Dad was determined to start it and kept at it long after we would have given up. His dedication and perseverance paid off and we eventually had a splendid fire to cook on. Mark took charge of the cooking and produced a veritable feast. We could probably have fed half the neighbours as well!

The girls made and decorated a birthday cake for their grandad, which  we were too full eat on the day! We ended the evening by roasting some giant American marshmallows that Tom had been given for Christmas and kindly shared with everyone. I think my Dad had a lovely birthday, we certainly all enjoyed it!

Yes, that is a pith helmet!

Lily's Tenth Birthday

A Pegasus cake for my Greek mythology loving girl. I was really pleased with how the cake turned out. I tried some new things when decorating this cake and I think they worked really well. Lily loved her cake and was sad that we had to cut it.

Emma decorated the fairy cakes for her sister

Lily is Ten

Lily has reached double figures! I say it every birthday, but where has the time gone? Lily continues to delight us all with her bubbly personality. She is a funny, clever and creative girl and spends most of her free time drawing and listening to music. She loves to bake and can often be found whipping up a tasty treat in the kitchen. She is doing brilliantly at school and is making her Daddy and me very proud.  She is a reliable, sensible girl (most of the time!) and is very helpful with her younger siblings. In short, she is a delightful girl whom I am very proud to call my daughter. 

Happy 10th Birthday Lily,

We love you!

Alexander's Second Birthday

Alex had an absolutely lovely day on his birthday. He has seen enough birthdays with three siblings to know that those pretty wrapped parcels contain presents. My original thought that he would spend the day gradually opening his gifts was quickly revised when he came downstairs and wanted to open all his gifts straight away! He was a very lucky boy and got lots of lovely presents, most of them with wheels, which made him very happy. He now thinks all presents contain cars!

One of the nice things about May birthdays is the weather and my little outdoor boy was blessed with a gloriously sunny day for his second birthday. After breakfast, we blew bubbles in the garden and then went for a lovely walk in the countryside behind the house, stopping to blow dandelion clocks and admire the wildflowers and butterflies. A perfect morning with my littlest Podling.

Mark's parents came round to spend the afternoon with us, bringing more gifts for the lucky birthday boy, including a lovely sand table. We had a lovely birthday tea and Alex knew exactly what to do with his cake. He certainly enjoyed eating it! It was one very happy little two year old that went to bed that night having had the most delightful day, perfect in every way for our special little boy.

Enjoying his new toys

Showing us his sweet birthday outfit

Lots of Mummy kisses!

A country walk for my outdoor boy

Stopping to enjoy the flowers

A teddy driving in the countryside for my outdoor, car-loving boy, lovingly made by Mummy

I was really pleased with how the cake turned out. 

The cake topper was a Cherished Teddy ornament that will now be displayed in his room

Homemade fairy cakes for the birthday tea

"Happy birthday to you!"

Make a wish

Alexander is 2

My littlest baby turned two years old and I am in denial! It doesn't seem possible that two years have passed since this sweet boy entered our lives. It seems incredible that even when you are determined to savour every moment, time still slips by so fast. Alex is such a happy, smiley little boy and makes us laugh every day. He is at his happiest outdoors and will walk for miles. We no longer bother with the baby carrier when we go on our walks, he just walks right along with us. I've never had a toddler actually wear out a pair of shoes before, but my little outdoor boy has managed it! He loves cars (and all things that go) and will play quite happily on his own for long periods of time with his toys. Anyone with a toddler will know what a boon that is! His speech has suddenly taken off and he is learning new words by the day, even making up a few of his own. The whole family now calls Lego 'dugadee' thanks to Alex. We have no idea how he came by that name, but it seems to have stuck! He is much indulged by his older siblings and adored by us all. 

Happy 2nd Birthday Alexander

We love you Boodle Boy!

A Birthday Tea

Another birthday tea, this time for me. I even made myself some paper chains to pretty the place up! Lily lovingly decorated my birthday cake and Emma decorated the fairy cakes. Everyone helped to eat them!

I had the novel experience of snow on my April birthday this year (definitely a first!) and a hailstorm, complete with thunder and lightening in the afternoon. Not exactly your typical spring day! I had a lovely day spent with the people I love, plus some new Folio Society books...a pretty good birthday on the whole, peculiar weather notwithstanding!

Baked by me, decorated by Lily. She did a lovely job on it.

Emma decorated the fairy cakes after I iced them for her. They are so pretty! 

The Twins Turn One!

Mark's side of the family came together on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the first birthday of our niece and nephew, Taylor and Freddie. It hardly seems possible that a year has passed by since these two wonderful little people entered the world to delight us all with their sweetness. The Podlings loved spending the afternoon with their cousins and Lily, in particular, was in her element playing with all the babies at the party. I enjoyed taking photos of all the little people and we all had a lovely afternoon celebrating the twins' first birthday with everyone. 

Happy 1st  birthday Taylor and Freddie!

The birthday girl

The birthday boy

A proud Nanna with the twins

Grace and Alex play so nicely side by side. I love watching them together.

I love this photo of Alex. It just captures his personality.

My lovely Lily, baby entertainer extraordinaire!

Singing 'Happy Birthday!'

Carrie with Grace and Poppy

Let him eat cake!

Seven of the eight cousins on Mark's side of the family

Beautiful Poppy, the newest member of the family

Sweet Taylor

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