Keilyn's 1st Birthday, part 1: The Party

Sunday 27th April.

Although Keilyn isn't officially one until Wednesday 30th, we decided to have her 1st birthday party early, so that more family and friends could attend. Keeping it a surprise from both Keilyn, who had no idea what was going on, and Erin, who had heard the word party a lot lately, was difficult, so, we waited until they were having their lunch, before putting up the party banners and balloons.

Keilyn sat transfixed as I blew the balloons up and Emma put up the banners, only getting startled when one of the balloons popped. Erin thought it was all good fun and, finishing her lunch, wanted to help. Emma had already cooked the party food, so that all we had to do was clear the dining table, cover it with a plastic Minnie Mouse tablecloth, put the food out and get the girls into their party outfits.

[caption id="attachment_1062" align="aligncenter" width="180"] Erin and Keilyn in their party outfits.[/caption]

At just before 2 o'clock family and friends began to arrive, beginning with Emma's family; mum, dad, brother Christopher and his girlfriend Ellie, sister Rachel with two of her kids, Freya and Noah. Then our friends Len and Emma arrived, followed shortly after by our daughter, Alysha, and my mum and granddad.

Once everyone was settled and we were all ready, we decided that it was time for Keilyn to open her presents. I sat on the floor with her and helped her to open the cards and unwrap the presents. Erin helped, too, and was more interested in some of the presents than Keilyn, who was more interested in the bubble wrap, wrapping paper, empty envelopes and the boxes.

[caption id="attachment_1063" align="aligncenter" width="180"] Erin takes Keilyn's new bubble-blowing lawnmower for a test drive.[/caption]

After a quick tidy-up, Keilyn and the rest of the kids disappeared to play in the garden, while we all started on the food. Then the kids had their chance to eat, before we brought out the cake. The cake had been made by Denise Cox, of Tapestry Cakes, and was in the shape of a number 'one', with light pink icing and a purple bow. The icing was then dotted with iced dots and hearts. Emma had added a sparkler and some candles which, when lit, produced specific coloured flames. With Keilyn in her high chair, looking bemused by all the attention and fuss, I brought out the cake and we all sang Happy Birthday, before a few of the kids got together to help Keilyn blow out the candles. I then took the cake back into the kitchen, where Emma cut a piece for everyone, and I distributed, with a little help from Erin.

[caption id="attachment_1064" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The cake, with its multi-coloured candles.[/caption]

With time getting on, family and friends started to make their departures, leaving Emma and myself with two very tired little girls. So, that we could tidy up in relative peace, we put Sofia the First on the TV, and did a quick clean up. It wasn't long before Erin went up to bed, followed closely by Keilyn.

[caption id="attachment_1065" align="aligncenter" width="180"] Keilyn lies exhausted in her beanbag chair, after her first birthday party.[/caption]

All in all it was a fantastic first birthday party and I cannot wait until Wednesday, when we head to London for Keilyn's actual birthday.

Christmas, 2012

Sunday, 23rd December

Although Erin’s temperature had dropped back down to near normal, (having peaked at 39.1c the same as the internal temperature aboard a Borg ship, from‘Star Trek’) she was still feeling under-the-weather, so we decided to just relax for the day and enjoy the calm before the proverbial storm that is Christmas. All this changed, however, at just after 20:00 hrs, when Erin decided that she was feeling better. So much better, in fact, that she decided to go for a walk… Alone. Out came the camera and soon videos were being taken of this milestone in her life. What an early, but great, Christmas present!

Monday, 24th December (Christmas Eve)

I was up slightly earlier than normal, as we were short staffed at work, so it important that we were all in early to make sure that everything was done in good time. Because of the extra work, time really flew and before we knew it, it was time to head home. As I walked through the door, Erin came tottering up to me, to show me that she had been practising her walk. Soon after dinner, Emma disappeared off to work, while I settled down for the evening. Erin soon awoke and began to show off her walking skills, again. It must have taken it out of her as, like the night before, she fell asleep earlier than normal. With Erin safely tucked up in bed, I brought all the presents down and placed them under the tree, ready for the morning. With not a lot on the TV I soon headed off to bed, myself.

Tuesday, 25th December (Christmas Day)

As per usual, I was up by 7 O’clock and sitting on the sofa when Emma came home, just after 07:30. Now, I know that Christmas is for the kids and they are usually the first up and I also know that Erin is only 13 months old, but not even I was expecting her to sleep in until 09:00!!! So, when she finally awoke she was given a bottle, sat on the sofa and surrounded (buried) with presents. She soon got the hang of it and, being the typical 13 month old, started to play with the empty envelopes, discarded paper and boxes. The presents were discarded until after we cleared up, at which point Alysha arrived and the whole cycle began again. With Erin playing with her new toys and Alysha reading the biography of Cheryl Cole, Emma got the dinner going. After I had carved the Roast Lamb (from Gibson’s butchers) and plated up the veg (sprouts, parsnips, carrots and broccoli), roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing and gravy, we all sat down to eat. Erin had juice. Alysha had a glass of Bucks Fizz, while Emma had a glass of alcohol-free wine and I had a glass of Bulgarian Merlot. Crackers were pulled, hats were worn, toys were lost and jokes were read. After dinner we cleared the table and finished the washing up, which Emma had been doing as she cooked, so there was little to do. We then all sat down to watch a DVD. Alysha had been bought ‘Ted’, so we sat down to watch that. Emma dozed off shortly after it started, while Erin busied herself by seeing how breakable her new toys were. ‘Ted’ was great fun and I know that I am going to have to watch it again. At just after 17:00, Alysha collected her things and headed over to my mum’s house, leaving Erin and myself trying to be quiet, so as not to wake Emma. After Emma did awake, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing, ready for Boxing Day.

Wednesday, 26th December (Boxing Day)

We spend our Boxing Day chillaxin’ throughout the morning, until our guests, if any, arrive. That’s the way it has always been and will probably continue to b. So, with that in mind, this year was no different. Emma’s sister, Rachel, and family were all in Cassiobury Park for a Boxing Day stroll, so Emma invited them round for a coffee, before they headed back to Chesham. They took up the invite and piled round the house; Rachel, Noel, Kane, Freya and Noah. Followed, shortly after, by Emma’s parents, David and Alyson. After Erin and the kids had wrecked the place, they made their farewells and left, just as Len, EmJ and Steve B arrived. Unlike previous Boxing Day’s, the day was very subdued and relaxing. The TV was on, as a distraction, while we all discussed our various presents and what we had been up to the previous day. Erin, having grown more and more confident in her walking ability, was very irritable as she didn’t want to sleep, in case she missed something. As the afternoon went on, drinks were had and stories were told until, Len and EmJ decided to make a move for home. As they had the car, they gave Steve B a lift home, too. Once everyone had left, Emma and I settled Erin down before heading off to bed ourselves. Once again, another peaceful Christmas in the Morrissey household.

Until next time

May it be well with you.

Erin's 1st Birthday

Sunday 11th November, 2012.

 

Erin allowed us a tiny lie-in before she woke up proper. The it was downstairs to open her presents and have some breakfast. Sitting beside Emma, on the sofa, Erin tore into the wrapping paper, before discarding the presents in favour of the paper. Erin's present from us was a 'ball-pond; with 300 balls to fill it with. We had decided that there was no point in buying too much as Erin wouldn't be able to appreciate them at such a young age. Besides, we knew that family and friends were going to spoil her rotten, as it was her 1st birthday. So, after lunch, we prepared the house by getting the party food ready and clearing as much space as possible, for all the guests. Then, at just before 14:00, people started to arrive. Nan and Granddad. Mum and Alysha. David and Alyson. Len and EmJ. Dave and his kids, Malakye and Nevaeh. Noel and Rachel with their kids Kane, Freya and Noah. Steve Brown and finally Uncle Martin. Before too long the house was full to bursting with. Every chair was taken, so I had to grab four more from the garage, which we then had to find a space for. The kids, of which there were 7, were happy just running around or finding a place to sit on the floor, to eat quietly, while the various parents snatched a few minutes to themselves whenever they could. Considering how busy the house was, Erin coped really well with the lack of space. Each new present got given its deserved thirty-seconds of her time, before she moved on to the next one. Then there was the constant flashes from a myriad of cameras, as she made her way from one person to the next. And, considering that she had missed her afternoon nap, Erin kept going. (Much like the 'Fluffling' that Dave, Malakye and Nevaeh had bought Erin!) The house soon got to be rather warm and very noisy, especially when a 'ball-fight' broke out, between the kids. As the afternoon drew on and the light started to fade, I went out in to the back garden to set up the fireworks. While I did this, Emma gave all the kids some sparklers, making sure that they were all wrapped up as the temperature had dropped considerably throughout the day. When the last of the sparklers had been extinguished, in some water, I lit the first firework. Erin was fascinated by the flashes and whistles but, as the fireworks got bigger and louder, Erin began to get a little upset. So, after leaving some fireworks in their box, we all headed back inside to get warm again. It wasn't long after this that people started to leave and, sooner rather than later, we were left alone with Erin and a lot of clearing up to do. Assuming that Erin would pass out as soon as everyone had left, was a mistake. Erin continued to play, and eat, before finally succumbing to fatigue just after 22:00. And it was not long after that Emma and I went to bed, either.

 

I think that Erin had a great day, and I am sure that she would join me in thanking all of our family and friends for making her 1st birthday such a  special one.

 

Thank you.

Christmas, 2010

Saturday, 25th December, 2010. Christmas!

 

I love Christmas! I count down to it every year from Boxing Day, much to the annoyance of some of my friends and family. This year was no different than any of the others. I was up and about just after 7 to feed the cats and fish. Then Alysha was up and so was Emma, once she had a coffee. Emma and I sat on the sofa while Alysha gave out the presents, which we then opened, throwing the discarded wrapping onto the floor. Suffice to say that it looked like a tornado had hit our living room afterwards. Just as we had finished opening them, we had a visit from Swany. More presents exchanged. He was over the moon with his presesnt, which we had had in the house for about 6 months! (Nothing like starting early!) After Swany left (nearly stacking it on the slippery path outside)we got ourselves together, at about 11, and headed over to my Nan's house to see the rest of the family. More presents exchanged, before we left for home and dinner. This year we had lamb with brussels, potatoes, carrots, broccoli and gravy. Last year we had steak. The year before we had a grill-up and the year before that was home-made pizzas. (We have something different every year, but we don't do turkey!) After dinner we sat and watched a bit of TV and then Alysha headed back to my Nan's. The rest of the day was quiet with Emma and I just chillaxin'.

 

Sunday, 26th December, 2010. Boxing Day!

 

I love Boxing Day as much as Christmas Day, if not more! Our Boxing Day consists of an 'Open House' party. Every year we invite friends over for food, drink, music and fun. Saves us having to go anywhere and also our friends help demolish all the food that is left. This year was no different. My friend Dave popped over in the morning and he loved his present. (An 'Il Duce' T-Shirt from the Boondock Saints! For anyone who hasn't yet seen these amazing movies, SEE THEM ASAP!!!) Then Swany arrived followed by Alysha, who had stayed at Nannie's Christmas night. Tracy and her kids, Madison, Sienna and Cheyanne then arrived follwed by Adam and Lauren and baby Kane. Len and Emma then arrived followed by Alysha's friend, Sam. Then my friend Colin arrived for an hour-or-so. What ensued was fun. Lots of laughing and joking while watching You Tube videos or listening to music. All this time drinks flowed and food was eaten. Tracy and the kids were the first to leave, as the kids were getting tired. Then we started on some drinking games. Shots of Chocolate and Chili Liqueur, Lemoncello, Teacher's, Bailey's, Toffoc, Etc.. Swany left soon after this as he had to work the next day. Lauren then took baby Kane home leaving Adam to stay at ours. Len and Emma were staying, too as was Sam. Luckily we had a spare room for Adam to stay in while Len and Emma had the sofa which converts into a double bed. Somehow, (it might have been the alcohol) Emma missed the bed, landing on the floor, knocking the coffee table flying. I managed to get a couple of photos before we helped her up. Luckily no damage was done to the coffee table or the floor. And, in case you were wondering, Emma didn't do herself any damage, either. Then it was off to the Land of Nod. Emma and I didn't surface until 12:30, (although, Emma had been up earlier to let Gerry out at stupid O'clock). That was when we heard movement from Len and Emma downstairs. That is not a pretty sight first thing in the morning and I am glad I don't have to wake up next to it everyday, and Emma didn't look too good either! (Only joking you two!) As it turns out, Adam had walked to Rickmansworth earlier in the morning and got a Taxi back to Amersham, so the house wasn't as full as it could have been. Alysha and Sam were just waking up as Emma and I headed into Watford for a little bit of shopping. We got back home minutes before Steve B arrived. Steve B had been away with friends for Christmas, so had missed our Boxing Day party. The rest of Monday was spent watching TV with more food and drink. We always buy four bottles of Snowballs every year, just for Steve B. 

 

Tuesday, 28th December, 2010. Grandad's 85th Birthday!

 

Up slightly earlier than the previous day, so that we could go to Grandad's to give him his Birthday presents. Not long after we got there, Alysha's friend Sam turned up and they headed off to Brent Cross to do some shopping. Then my Mum arrived and Emma and I headed home. Steve B was up and Emma said that she was going into Town, so Steve B and I walked into Watford with her. After a quick look around some shops, Steve B and I disappeared off to Mangan's for a drink with friends. Some time later, Emma met up with us and we headed to the Oddfellows to see more friends, before heading home. More food was eaten and drink drunk. Then, it was off to bed as Steve and I had to go to work the next morning.

 

A great Christmas was had by me and I think everyone else enjoyed it, too.

 

Merry Christams and Happy New Year, Everyone.

 

May it be well with you.