Bluet’s Birthday

So far Bluet has spent her 9 Bithdays in Central Park, Houston, Switzerland, The Outer Hebrides, Connecticut and in quarantine. This one I think will be pretty memorable. We even had some socially distant visitors (neither family has seen anyone else for over 2 weeks so they cycled over and kept their distance to wish Bluet Happy Birthday). Bluet even helped make her cake. 

Then because children can't have birthday parties right now, the local town laid on a surprise drive by for us (and all kids with birthdays, if you ask). Apparently it is good practice for them and pretty exciting for the kids (and parents)

8 years old

Last Wednesday Bluet had a birthday, which as Bluet informed us now means she has been around the sun 8 times. Bluet and Ilona were both very excited for the day - Ilona drew lots of pictures as presents, and wanted to be involved in the preparation - she asked to be woken up at 5AM to make sure she had time to prepare - we did not do this. We did however bake a cake, which upon Bluet's request was a strawberry cake with pink icing. It was pretty delicious. She had been preparing her birthday wishes for months in advance so it took her a second to prepare to blow out the candles on her cake, to make sure all the wishes were in order, then they were out in one blow. Our neighbours with 2 girls the same ages as ours came over to help us celebrate, and everyone had a good time. Yesterday Bluet told me that she was used to being 8 at last.

For the record, this is the last picture I have of Bluet, aged 7. We went for lunch the day before in the nearby town of Bethel.

We bought Bluet a CD player for her birthday, and one CD (Bowie's greatest hits). Since then we have heard a lot of Bowie from Bluet's room, played at maximum volume.

Ilona eating a pickle

Birthday Boy

As you are no doubt aware, Wilder had his first birthday this week. Bluet made some decorations, and made and wrapped a gift all by herself (which Wilder is holding below), then Wilder opened presents (with help from Ilona) and ate some cake.



We had a little party on the balcony with the neighbours

Ilona is 4!

As you probably know, it was Ilona's birthday on Monday; we had a small birthday party on Saturday and then a muffin based birthday cake on Monday when we came home after work

So here is Ilona aged 3 years, 364 days



And here she is aged 4 years blowing out the candles on her Monday cake




For reference, this is what she looks like now she is 4

Trip to Scotland: Bluet's Birthday

Today we returned from our trip to Scotland (incorporating Aberdeen and the Outer Hebrides). So, more details to come, but let us start with Bluet's Birthday 2017, which she got to celebrate with (in no particular order): Andrew, Maria, Wayne, Nana, Steve, Dorthea, Caroline, Madeleine, Uncle Nick and Gina at our lovely Hebridean rental home. Uncle Nick kindly made her a cake and decorated while we were out, whilst Andrew and Maria provided pizza (Bluet's choice of birthday meal, narrowly beating out spaghetti). Before the birthday meal we went into Stornoway and visited the museum inside Lews Castle. You can tell it was Bluet's birthday because she is wearing a birthday crown in most of the pictures

Bluet's 5th Birthday

Sunday was bluet's fifth birthday, as I am sure you are aware. Up early out of bed, we had birthday blueberry pancakes and some present opening, which brought great joy, as you can see

Then I retreated to the kitchen to make a pink birthday cake (as requested), followed by muffins, while Emily got the house ready for the Birthday party. What the kids did during this time, I have no idea. At two Bluet's friends started to arrive (we hung birthday balloons so they could find the house. 9 kids ran around, and nine kids are cake and ice cream, and then, after some more running around, the party was over.



(earlier in the day, Ilona has a tea party with Emily - note the tablecloth, ready for the party)