Today was my birthday. A day when my 9 year old daughter gave me this:
Which made me smile, because she has been noticing the job of a Mum recently, giving me credit for how hard I work to keep things ticking over. I am loving this new appreciation she has for me, so I’m writing about it. Sorry. But I am. Because I know it won’t last.
As well as my new camera, I was gifted Lush bath bombs and Hotel Chocolat delights. I made a quip about all 3 shops being within 10 metres of each other. Jason later apologised for being predictable with my gifts, but I protested. Are you kidding? I love that my kids want me to have Lush, and the best chocolate in town. I love that they want me to have treats, that they buy me the things that they themselves like. I love it. I won’t complain if I get Lush and Hotel Chocolat every year until I’m 99.
Lunch was booked. I know my husband had a part in it, but my daughter had apparently talked to the restaurant on the phone to organise something special. She was excited, but she wouldn’t spill the beans. We had an incredible lunch. My 6 year old son, at first freaked out by my lobster, gave it a try (he’s an adventurous foodster) and was pretty soon well-acquainted with the tools of the trade:
I had to have a pudding. It was obligatory. I chose the creme brûlée. My 9 year old girl followed the waiter for a covert chat. My dessert arrived sporting a candle, and accompanied by 3 members of staff singing Happy Birthday. As they signed off they asked my girl, not me, “Was that alright for you?” She was proud. I was proud.
My phone was on silent so I missed my brother singing the birthday song later, but he sent me this card, and told me the sharpest minds in his chambers (he’s a QC) suffer from this, so all is not lost:
Turns out there was a mix up, and the card my daughter had in mind for me was this:
But I’m sticking to the one with the words. 🙂
I came home to a string of Facebook messages from friends I have met, and others I have only ever exchanged typed characters with online. People say the internet is a scary place, but there is a lot of love on there if you make the right connections:
*Instagram video courtesy of Cass, who I’ve only met briefly, but who is truly lovely, and who has kids who will produce such things on request, for a woman their Mum says needs a Happy Birthday to You.
And a word about the Bug. Bless him, he’s been wobbling his non-wobbly teeth for months now, waiting to join the ranks of his gappy-smiled classmates. But it was GG, as she tucked into her steak-frites, who suddenly proclaimed, out of the blue: “I’ve lost a tooth!”
Night night all, I have to get a message to the tooth fairy now 🙂
I am over-tasked, I am 47, but I am the luckiest girl in the world.
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Helen, happy birthday to you! Love that card from GG, it’s wonderful – I do hope it lasts. And the Bug with that lobster, clearly not going to admit defeat there! Hope you had a wonderful day, sounds like you most definitely did. I’m horrified you’re 47, you look far younger – it’s a mistake surely!?!? You *almost* share your birthday with Poppy (POD) who will be 3 on Christmas Day x
Oh Christmas Day! How magical! Do you do her birthday separately?
Aw thanks for that and I’m so pleased you had a lovely day x x
A belated Happy Birthday to you! Looks like you had such a fabulous time, with lovely gifts and cards 🙂
Aw that’s lovely. I was waiting for the punch line later on, where you admit that your daughter is in fact NOT really doing/saying all the things you mentioned at the top…but it never came – what a star! I so wish that mine would appreciate me more *sigh*. Glad you had a fabulous birthday, so close to Christmas. x
Ahhhhh to be appreciated and loved – who could ask for more ? x
Happy Birthday Helen! It looks like you had a really fantastic day. They say the best people are born in December. I think this is true (along with August in equal measure). Xx
Heheh 🙂
Happy birthday, you divine creature. You look a decade younger, and you bring happiness to a lot of people. Enjoy being loved xxx
What a wonderful comment! Thank you lovely lady x
if this is what frozen wine does to you then i am drinking it by the gallon as you do not look 47!! You look amazing and beautiful!
sounds like a very special birthday full of love and appreciation and family togetherness – just perfect x x
Ahhh thank you, I’ll send some over in the post 😉
Happy birthday, looks like a really lovely day and a really lovely family 🙂
What a lovely birthday and what an incredibly thoughtful family, especially GG! As my own daughter grows up (she’s 7, going on 8), I’m realising just how thoughtful she can be compared to her bigger brothers, even though I love the boys to bits. Am very jealous that The Bug would try lobster. My kids wouldn’t even try a different brand of fish cakes! Sigh.
Ah, he would never touch a fishcake! He’s just keen on the exotic. His favourite restaurant dish is Chilli Squid from Wagamama 🙂