How is my baby boy now 8? The time just flies by so quickly.
Daniel keeps amazing me at times, and drives me crazy at other times. He is so mature and grown up at times, and then things just get too much for him and he will scream and cry at us because he didn't get his way. Like in my previous post he surprises me and is wise and helpful beyond his years, like sitting and reading with Eliza and Alexander at bedtime. He has even done it a few times since to 'give Daddy and I a break' which has been really sweet and Eliza and Alexander enjoy having him read to them.
This year's birthday was a different one. Covid rules had been eased so we could have some friends around for cupcakes and a playdate after school and we could also have family around on Saturday to celebrate his actual birthday. But unfortunately James wasn't able to be back from Hervey Bay because of Malcolm passing away and Daniel also had to process that Boompa had passed away. But as I told others, Malcolm wouldn't have wanted the focus to be on him, he didn't like attention. He would have wanted Daniel's birthday to be about Daniel so I did my best to make that happen! I'm also so grateful to Mum and Dad and Anne who helped me out with Alexander so that I could cope with everything that was going on, prepare to head to Hervey Bay on Monday and also prepare for 2 get togethers. Daniel and I are definitely surrounded by a lot of love and support.
With Malcolm passing away on Thursday night, I decided that I wouldn't tell the kids until after the friends came around on Friday afternoon. I wanted Daniel to be the focus, I wanted him to have fun with his friends for his birthday and I wanted the kids to happily head off to school. I really had no idea how they would react so I felt this was the right thing to do.
Friday Morning Mum and Dad came around to walk the kids to school. I had written a birthday message in his lunch box and also given him some hundreds and thousands biscuits as a birthday treat.
Then Mum and Dad played with Alexander so that I could clean and organise the house, head up to school to get a letter about the kids not attended for a week, head to the shops to grab a few more things for the afternoon, for tomorrow's family get together and also for the car trip up north and also made cupcakes for the afternoon.
After Mum and Dad left, I was able to take Alexander around to Anne's place for a play with Flynnie so that I could keep preparing for Daniel's birthday. I made his pool cake, as requested. I had fun adding some of my own things like making pool noodles. I also decided to put the blue jelly in a bowl that would fit in the cake so that it wouldn't make the cake gooey. I know kids would love that but this was for the family too so decided to do it this way.
The beach bed
Pool noodle
Looking at how much cake got taken out for the jelly pool, I decided to make another cake for everyone to share. This one was a simple decoration. I just didn't want to run out of cake.
I headed up to school to pick up Daniel and his friends and we headed back home for a playdate with cupcakes. His lovely friends also brought him some presents which was very kind - lego, a magic set, National Geographic Magazine and a build your own clock. The kids went and played together - outside on the trampoline, inside with the lego, running around, etc. They had a lot of fun hanging out. They enjoyed fruit for afternoon tea followed by beach jelly and of course cupcakes.
We sang 'Happy Birthday' to Daniel and he blew out his covid safe cupcake candle. He really has a lovely little group of friends. It was lovely to have Rohan and Rishab come around to celebrate with him before changing schools. And the little friendship group of Lachie, Sadew and Alex is just too sweet.
This is apparently what you do with jelly. It became the game with the boys
After the sugar burst the kids when down to the front lawn to play with the balls on the grass. They had a great time running around and throwing the balls around. They even had a ball get stuck in the tree so the game changed to 'get the ball out of the tree by throwing up the other balls.' It was so lovely to see the kids having fun together.
Once everyone left Daniel unpacked his bag and was excited to show me that he got a reward from the casual teacher who took his class today. He was really proud of it and so he should be. He said that there was just 1 award to get and he was the one who got it. What a lovely birthday treat!
We then sat on the couch and I told them about Boompa dying. (I will write more about it in another post). They were sad, Eliza and Alexander were clingy and cuddly, Daniel was asking lots of questions and talking it through. But it was a special moment together, to reflect on some special memories with Boompa, to understand why Daddy wasn't coming home for the weekend, why we were heading up to Hervey Bay earlier than we had planned and also to be able to talk about how Boompa would still want Daniel's birthday to be about him and that's what was important. I made dinner and then put the kids to bed, with extra prayers and cuddles for the kids, as well as extra tears from me.
I put Daniel to bed last, and spoke with him about what a help he had been this week while Daddy was away. I was so grateful for that and told him that I can't wait to see God continue to grow him into an amazing man with such a big heart for others. We had snuggles and then he went to sleep. My precious big boy who was about to turn 8.
Last night as a 7 year old. Love that he still loves to cuddle teddies and toys. This one was given to him when he was born.
I was glad that I had done so much in the day because it meant that I just needed to do a quick clean and wrap Daniel's presents and then head to bed ready for his special day. I was exhausted emotionally and mentally but it was important to make Daniel's birthday special.
The morning of Daniel's birthday we got up, got dressed and then had presents time. It was a bit weird not having Daddy there but the excitement of presents was enough to distract the kids. Daniel first got his present from Anna, Emma, Mikey and Neil. His words were 'Are these all for me?' I think we will have to share them with everyone.
He then was excited to open his presents from us. I loved seeing his excitement but also the excitement of Eliza and Alexander. It was really cute. We started with reading the birthday messages book (which I just love!) It was gorgeous to see Eliza read her message to Daniel, then Alexander to read his message but to watch Daniel read and process the messages from Daddy and I.
Then after cuddles for the birthday boy it was present time.
Present time is always a joint affair
Daniel had been asking for a sewing kit for about a month because he was so proud of the sewing he did at school. I saw this at the Salvos so purchased it and he was stoked to get his own little sewing task. We took it up to Hervey Bay and did it over a few days while up there. I love that he enjoys these creative tasks and takes real pride in the end result. I really want to try and embrace it with him while he has it.
The next gift was a present from IKEA. I saw the game online and thought it might be a fun one to do with the family or friends. A different sort of lazer tag game. The kids were right into it! Attacking Daniel of course.
There was one more present that I was excited to give him because he had wanted a dressing gown so much. Today his wish came true.
Glad he liked it!
I wanted to do something special for him for his birthday with all that was going on. Because we didn't have the option of going to Monday Morning cafe for Mothers' Day due to covid, I decided I'd take him there for his birthday as cafe's had opened for limited customers. The kids dressed warm (for sitting outside) and we took books to sit and wait for our breakfast. The kids were great reading and were very happy with their full breakfast - eggs, sausages and hash browns. Each time they get it I do see why the kids love coming here for breakfast!
A very happy boy with a tasty breakfast
He loved looking at the special collector spoons so was excited that they came with the babychinos.
We facetimed Daddy while out at breakfast which was nice to see his face and hear his voice.
Breakfast was a hit. They did really well until the end when we bumped into Eliza Darvas and had a chat and the kids started to run around a bit. But they were still happy.
We headed back home and the kids played the ball laser tag a bit more while I got everything ready for the family coming around for afternoon tea.
The pool was complete
Daniel took Oscar on with ball laser tag.
When Oscar had finished playing then Daniel asked Auntie Jenny. I love that my kids are keen to ask her to play with them and I love the way that she does. I hope that relationship never stops.
You can run, but you can't hide!
Because of Covid being around, Alexander received his birthday present from Aunty Megan and Mark this day too.
Which then lead to Daniel opening his presents from everyone.
Center of attention!
He loved getting more LEGO and also more beyblades.
Uncle Howie was kept company.
Uncle Pete and Aunty Julie gave the kids a joint present because of missing each of their birthdays. They were quite excited to open their gifts.
The kids had a jump on the trampoline for a while while I organised the cake time.
We sang happy birthday to Daniel and then he blew out another covid cupcake candle. Then each person got to choose which cake they wanted. Not surprisingly the kids all wanted the jelly and the adults wanted the cake. I probably could have gotten away with just 1 cake, but it was fine. The option was nice to have.
The finished cake
With his cakes
Center of attention again
Enjoying the cake and jelly
Daniel decided that he wanted some more fruit so chose to use the serving tongs to hold the food as he ate! Needless to say, those tongs then went out to be washed. He got away with it because it was his birthday.
The kids then had fun playing beyblades. Aunty Julie was aware of these because of nieces and nephews on the other side of their family, but Aunty Megan hadn't been introduced to them yet. Daniel helped change that.
Getting close to it apparently helps it win...
Then it was Aunty Megan's turn. It did take a few goes to get used to how to launch it, and a swap with Daniel's beyblade (because his one was more powerful) but we got there and she was quite excited to win. Again, very special to see his great aunt joining in with games with him. She's really good at that.
Alexander had to join in too. I love his concentration tongue.
Aunty Megan also bought each of the kids an activity book for the car trip which the kids loved looking at and learning how to play it.
Uncle Howie repeatedly got attacked by the kids.
It was so lovely and so special to spend the morning with family. It meant a lot that Aunty Megan, Mark, Aunty Julie and Uncle Pete came to celebrate Daniel with us. It was lovely to give them a hug and chat about Malcolm but even more lovely to watch them interact with the kids and focus on Daniel. It was lovely to have Mum and Dad, the Howies and Auntie Sue with us too, helping and showing us love. We missed having Grayma with us but understood that she wasn't feeling up to it. Times like this remind us how special family are and how special it is to spend time together. I really love and value that everyone took the time to come and celebrate Daniel.
The birthday boy took great delight in spoiling each photo. Laughs...
Tongues...
Cheesy smiles
We all joined the crazines
Love my sister
The kids weren't so keen to have Uncle Howie leave.
While I cleaned up the kids worked together to make Alexander's puzzle.
We did a covid safe bye to Nana and Poppy.
Daniel played his his new lego while I put Alexander and Eliza to bed.
Before James went to Hervey Bay he had told Daniel that he could stay up and watch the V8s with him after bedtime. With James not able to be back, I stood in for him. I might not have shown much interest in the race itself but it was nice to sit and watch it with him and see his excitement.
Goodnight to my gorgeous big 8 year old boy.
Happy birthday to my sweet Daniel. I know that this years birthday has been different to your other ones, but I absolutely admire your strength and love for other, and for me. My sweet boy, you saw me sad and you gave me a hug. You saw me stressed and you took over reading with Eliza and Alexander. You saw me running around trying to organise everything for your birthday and you went and played happily. I love your hugs, I love you smile, I love your giggle. I love your excitement over little things like special spoons and beyblades, I love your love of racing cars and that you will always have the memory of going to the races with Daddy and Boompa. I love that you don't care about what others think about you - I really admire your confidence and I hope that I can have even a small amount of that carefree attitude in my life. You love to be creative, you love to try and solve problems and you are stubborn beyond belief when you want something to go your way, but my sweet boy, I wouldn't change one bit of you. I love reading your Bible and devotional with you and learning more about God and your knowledge of God each night. You are such a joy Daniel and I can't wait to see how you continue to grow and learn this year. You are amazing my sweet boy. Happy birthday. I love you.
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