A Teenager in our midst!!

 I know it is a cliche, but really, where does the time go?  That tiny 6lb 8oz baby, that turned our lives upside down, pacing back and forth in the evenings wishing that the colic would go away, gazing in wonderment that we could be blessed with such a beautiful baby, but scared that we were going to get things wrong.  It certainly doesn't seem 13 years ago.  But it is!  Luke is now 13!!

He was rather disappointed that the first day back at school fell on his birthday, but looking on the bright side, he decided it was probably better than a few days into term where he would be expected to do some work!

The war gaming theme continues throughout his birthday.  The cake with dice that add up to 13, along with point counters.

 We decided that a key to the house would be a symbolic gift for him turning into a young man.  We commisioned a key fob with the Protectorate of Menoth symbol (Luke's current WarMachine army) on it from Pippa.  He was absolutely over the moon with it, and was more excited about that than the surprise Xbox!

The day before his birthday was RedWarSoc (the wargaming club), so they took some cakes along that we had decorated with a template of more WarMachine symbols and cocoa powder.  It went down a storm with the geeks!  So simple too!

 And just to show what happened when I got complacent about knowing the recipe for the cake!  Added baking powder by mistake!!  It did make for a nice flat top on the cake though!!

Double figures!

 This is what birthday mornings are all about for our smiling, lego mad 10 year old!!  Although he did actaully abandon it for a little while to go and check out his other presents too!  He was perfectly happy to stay at home all day and play, but we eventually managed to think of somewhere he could go with his broken finger, that didn't involve trying to keep Sophie quiet for 2 hours, as would have been the case if we had gone to the cinema! 

So we went to a nearby craft place, where we had drinks and icecream, sat outside in the perfect August weather, not sunny, but warm with the slightest hint of a breeze. All of us were admiring the location and talking of hobbit holes again!

 We had brought some bread to feed the ducks, but it was actually the fish that ate most of it.  We then saw some horses and went over to have a look.  There was a man tending to them, and he was telling us about them.  He then asked if any of the boys wanted to it on "Roxy" a beautiful, 7 year old, Gypsy Cob.  Ethan was very eager, but when it came to it, decided not to.  So Alec took the lead.  He thought it very strange having her skin twitching to disturb the flies.

 Ethan then decided he would like a go!

 And even Sophie joined in, and looked quite at ease.  (Luke was too heavy to lift over the barbed wire, but I think he was grateful for that excuse!)

 This photo doesn't do the place justice, but it really was beuatiful, and so relaxing.

 We returned home to a birthday tea.

 And some playing, in our newly cleared out conservatory.

 Did the necessary cake stuff!

 The boys were suggesting I should do a portfolio of all the cakes I have made, perhaps one day, if I have nothing else to talk about!

 And then, to top of his birthday, what would a ten year old request as a snack at bedtime, whilst reading his new Beano annual?  Grapes, raisins and cucumber of course!!

Our lovely, smiling, lego mad, funny, sweet, always wanting cuddles, Lally is 10!! Happy Birthday Alec!