Ben's 7th Birthday Part 1

In the days leading up to his birthday, Ben had a perma-grin on his face and kept saying things like 'I can't believe I'm going to be 7!"  Jasmine was feeling rather left out and kept wishing that her birthday was the same day or the next day, or whatever day she felt was close enough at the given moment.  The night before Ben's birthday she asked me, as I tucked her into bed, if Ben would be 7 as soon as he woke up.......yes of course, I answered.  To which she asked again, "what, straight away?!"

Anyway, the morning came and, unlike normal, Jasmine woke up first and I heard her creep into Ben's room and wake him up saying, "Ben, you're seven, wake up!"  Then they both came barrelling into our room to tell us the news too :-) 

Nick, unfortunately, had to go into work, but I had the rest of the week off, so after a lazy morning, we got out the giraffe decopatch kit we had bought for him as part of his present and we spen the morning cutting, glueing and sticking (Jasmine fgot a little wooden heart to decorate so she didn't feel left out).

The giraffe proved too big for Ben though and he decided he'd like to finish the rest off later.  so I have no picture of his finished product.  However, it is looking very good - even partially decorated - and will go very nicely in his room.  Which is the rest of his present.  We are decorating his room for him (as much as is possible in a rented property anyway) in a safari theme. 

At midday Nick came home and joined us for lunch - which for the kids was American style fluffy pancakes with syrup and some fruit.  Ben managed to eat 4 large ones!  We then went to the park and the kids played and rode their scooters until rain threatened.

I told Ben he could have whatever he wanted for dinner that night, fully expecting him to choose chips (his favourite!), but he surprised me and asked for a roast dinner (also a favourite I might add): roast chicken, stuffing, crispy roast potatoes, gravy, vegetables (though he has decided he no longer liks broccoli, he kindly said I could put some in a separate bowl in case anyone else wanted any!) and yorkshire pudding.  For dessert he asked for apple and rhubarb crumble with custard.  Pics and recipes here and here.

And what a feast it was.  We were all starving by the time I finished this cooking marathon and all ate more than our fair share - but it was delicious and went down a treat :-)

The next morning, Ben asked "am I still seven?"  It's funny that both of them ask this every birthday - it's like they think that because the actual birthday is a one day only affair, that maybe the getting ayear older thing is too.....