Happy Birthday Daddy!

This year James' birthday fell on a Monday. He was planning to head up to Hervey Bay to be with his mum for her 70th birthday on the Thursday so he took off the Monday and then hopped onto a plane on the Tuesday morning. It was nice that James had the day off so we could hang out and enjoy him.

On the Thursday night we had a birthday dinner at Mum and Dad's place. A nice bbq dinner with a hazelnut pavlova for dessert, just as James wanted. 

Singing happy birthday

Covid clapping to blow out the candles

His actual birthday started out a little differently though. Once the kids were dressed I asked them to go to the couch so we could get ready to give Daddy his birthday book and presents. Daniel and Eliza both wanted to do something else first. I asked them again and they still ignored me and did what they wanted. So I gave Alexander the present and the book to give to Daddy. Daniel and Eliza were both very upset and so hid under the cushions on the couch as James started to read his birthday messages. Not quite how I had planned his birthday to go. A moment of expectation vs reality.

expectation

reality.

So James started reading his birthday messages with Alexander while the other 2 were upset on the couch. I was so proud of the way that James didn't let this get to him or make him upset.

Eventually Eliza calmed down and went over to look at her birthday message to Daddy too.

and then Daniel calmed down too and joined them on the couch to read Daddy his birthday message and see him open his present. Hopefully next year will be a bit more normal and we can take the kids to the shops to buy Daddy a little gift from themselves, but this year it was just a joint gift from us all.

The kids didn't know what gift it was

Alexander was so happy and in a funny mood

James walked the kids to school and took Alexander to preschool and then we got to hang out together. It was a bit of a big day. We went to Bunnings and bought some picnic chairs, a fold up table, some mulching, some Christmas lights (because Eliza really wanted to have some Christmas lights outside our house) and a few other bits and pieces. We then headed to Hornsby to get a few more things. We went to get cupcakes from Hornsby Heights (where James got some for us) but found that they were closed on Mondays. Bummer. James said he didn't need cake but it is more for the kids. We went and got Sultans for lunch and I popped next door to get some M&M's to decorate some cupcakes. I saw they had Maltesers so asked him if he wanted them on top instead. This then lead to me making some Malteser cupcakes for Daddy's birthday to enjoy for afternoon tea. Yum!

Singing happy birthday

Blowing out the candles

I think James liked them

James then worked with Eliza to hang the lights up on our tree out the front.

(Here is how the tree looks at night)

We then took Daddy out for dinner at The Brook. The kids were very excited to have juice and it was presented in the cutest bear cups. James really enjoyed his steak and the kids liked their food too.

Even though the day might not have started off the best, it definitely finished off nicely which is good. 

Happy birthday to this amazing man, wonderful husband and fantastic Daddy. I love doing life with him. I had such a lovely day just being with him, running errands, spending too much money. It has been such a crazy year and so hard at times yet he has continued to put others first, been a strength for others, encouraged me when I've been overwhelmed, been my voice of reason. I'm glad that we were able to make him feel special today.