Birthday Musings

It's my birthday today. 27 years young! I honestly don't know where the years are going. My little sister takes her first GCSE exam today, and it seems like only yesterday that it was myself in her position. I struggle to comprehend where the last 11 years have gone.

I remember wishing my school days away, as most people probably do. Wishing I was old enough to 'do what I want'. And I remember my school days dragging by so slowly! But since I left school, someone seems to have hit the fast forward button and I wish I knew how to slow it back down. I'm fast approaching 30 and the thought terrifies me. I can't explain why it fills me with such dread, but being in my twenties sounds so much younger being in my thirties.

Then I look at everything I've got in life. I'm just 27 years old and already I've met the man of my dreams, married him and had 3 (soon to be 4) children with him. We own a beautiful home in a lovely neighbourhood. How many people my age are able to say they have all this? I'm incredibly lucky that I'm able to be a stay at home mum. I love being the one who takes the children to school, and the one who collects them again at the end of the day. Or if one of them gets sick and needs collecting early, I'm there. I wouldn't want it any other way.

So, back to the point. It's my birthday! I love my birthday (aside from the fact that it makes me another year older!) I've had some lovely gifts, a camera, a bracelet, a purse and some smellies. Mr P and I went out for a celebratory meal on Saturday, which was wonderful. And my children are behaving for once! This in itself is a very rare occasion. This evening I'm going to treat myself to a lovely bubble bath, rock and roll I know, but my usual glass or 2 of wine is perhaps not the best idea in my condition, so a bubble bath it is.

Well, there you go... Happy birthday me! I'll be back again soon.

Birthday Boy

Today is my eldest's 5th birthday. This makes me sad. I'm really not ready for my children to be getting so big! Yes, I realise they have to grow up, but I remember giving birth to him like it happened yesterday, not 5 years ago! In the blink of an eye, I've watched him grow from the tiny, totally dependent newborn into the thoughtful, kind, albeit very mischievous little boy. I can't be the only parent who gets the birthday blues on their children's birthdays. Can I? 

Then there's the chaos the birthday entails. We had tears this morning because I was a 'horrible mummy', not letting him open his presents before school. I like to take our time over them, making sure he's fully aware of who bought him what so he knows who to thank later. I am officially turning into my mother!

I'm now cooking my way through Iceland's party food selection in preparation for the few of his friends coming over for his birthday tea later. My oven is far too small! It frustrates me that I can only cook 2 trays of food at a time. Stress! 

I've spent a good hour cleaning the kids' bedrooms, Lord knows why! I'm sure my son and his friends will soon upend the toy boxes! I've not had chance all day to stop and have a coffee, so I'm running on Red Bull. Something I may live to regret come midnight when I'm staring at the ceiling! Although I'm sure the half bottle of wine I've got earmarked for later will help me to drift off! 

And in amongst all this, I have the usual jobs of keeping the children entertained, trying to stop the dog from rounding them up like sheep (take my advice, never get a border collie if you have small children) and the general housework. Anyone got a second pair of arms I can borrow? 

So all that's left to do now is await the arrival of our guests, whilst ensuring the children don't keep making a mess. And, of course, clean up again once they've gone! Next year I'm doing a party at the softplay. It's got to be easier than this!?  

Until next time. xxx