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09 August 2009

And the birthday fun continues.....

Noah really has had the most exciting week of his life so far, being the centre of attention all week one way or another with all sorts of fun birthday experiences!

Monday afternoon we took some afternoon tea into daycare and spent about half an hour with the kids enjoying some mat-time. Mark got roped into reading all the kids a story when he accidentally sat in the teacher's chair, and then we sung some fun action songs including 'To fa ta fa'. Noah then got to go up the front and choose a song for all the kids to sing. He was so coy going up the front and shyly said 'Bob the Builder' but sang with great gusto and loved the fact that it was his special turn to choose the song. Then it was time to put the special birthday boy hat on, and sit in the 'king' throne at the head of the table. We all sang happy birthday whilst the cupcake came out with a candle on top, and then the kids dug into their Twisties, grapes and cupcakes together.

Tuesday night, Jackie came to stay so we could go to Harry Potter, and she thoroughly spoilt Noah bringing him gifts galore! He has especially enjoyed playing his new keyboard complete with microphone having all sorts of karaoke fun the rest of the week.

Friday lunchtime Nana and Poppa arrived from Hamilton and we picked Noah up early from daycare and came home for a relaxing afternoon. Noah enjoyed showing Nana how well he could put his Tigger & Pooh floor puzzle together with very little help. Nana & Poppa also brought Noah a very cool mini scooter for his birthday, and he managed to slowly maneouvre a lap around the coffee table which was quite impressive for a first time on it!

And then the preparation for the big 3rd birthday party began in earnest. Mark made the cake Friday night, and then it was all hands on deck to help on Saturday morning. We were a bit worried that our icing wouldn't be red enough (as the normal cochineal red colouring usually just goes pink), so we made a few frantic phone calls to a party place, Spotlight and Moore Wilsons in the morning to see if anyone had the 'red gel' icing recommended by lots of people on the Internet trying to get a true red colour. The lady at Moore Wilsons was most helpful and said the best thing she knew of was the 'Pillarbox Red' colouring which Mark had already fortuitously bought from New World earlier in the week. Phew...so we got to work and were pleasantly surprised at the colour that developed....definitely not too pink for 'Rocket' to look authentic! Although this was mostly a Markie masterpiece, I did help out making the engines, using a steady hand to do the blue icing on the windscreen, and creating the Little Einsteins figurines to go at the front of the cake. I think Mark was VERY relieved when it all turned out OK as all we had to go on was a few pictures on the Internet and had to make the rest up as we went along. Mark said he definitely wants to be the one to pick next year's cake, and didn't look too impressed when I reminded him he'll have not one, but TWO cakes to make in the space of about 6 weeks!

Noah had a great morning hanging out with Nana and Poppa, and as we raced around like crazy they spent time out in the garden taking turns to play 'hide the soldier' and enjoying a lovely mild and sunny Saturday outdoors, it really has felt like early spring these past few days.

We also made some chocolate crackles, cooked up some sausage rolls, and Mark had made some of his special 'Jamie Oliver' chocolate brownie a couple of nights before as well. It was a full on morning in the end, and we were only just finished in time to get going to the party! One of Noah's buddies arrived a little early which meant they could go off and play together on all the equipment leaving us adults to get everything prepared. The facility we went to (Club Physical gym in Kilbirnie) was awesome with heaps of climbing equipment, a ball pit and a bouncy castle....a definite winner with all the little ones and pretty reasonable too as you just take your own food along instead of paying for lots of fried junk food. There was plenty of space and we had the place to ourselves unlike the likes of Junglerama where you're fighting amongst the general masses and it can get very packed! Noah had about 9 of his daycare friends there with their parents, plus two of my close church friends came from Masterton and Plimmerton with their kiddies, and it was lovely to catch up for the first time in a few months!

Given how retiring Noah has been in the past in certain situations, it was just awesome for us as parents to see how confident and excited he was, revelling in his big day. We didn't see him for most of the party as he was far too busy running around having fun with his pals, and getting completely hot and sticky burning up lots energy! We had to stop him a few times to get him to strip off more layers of clothes as his little face turned more and more into a beetroot as the party wore on!

Then it was home to open a few presents, bath and bed as our little 'big' boy was completely exhausted by this time! He wasn't the only one, yesterday was a big day and after being on my feet the whole day it was very nice to relax with fish n chips last night, and then put my feet up for the evening whilst Poppa dozed on the couch, and Nana watched Jackie and Mark playing Sports Resort on the Wii.

This morning we relaxed with Nana & Poppa until we had to drop them back at the airport for their flight home...such a short but sweet visit. A little crazy to think that next time they visit in two month's time, there will be another little kidlet in the house! EEK! On the way home from the airport, we stopped in at the hospital so I could show Mark where he needs to go on the big day, and to also show Noah know where Mummy would be staying for a little bit when baby comes out! Then we got into a very deep and meaningful conversation with Noah on the way home about how the baby would come out....interesting! It started when he asked whether my tummy would crack for the baby to come out and we were trying to explain as best we could but think we just ended up digging ourselves into a bit of a hole....hmmm! Never really imagined I'd be having that kind of conversation with a 'just' 3-yr old! Anyway, Noah seems to be pretty relaxed about the fact the baby will be coming out soon and coming home to live with us, and we have always found the more we talk about things and prepare him for new situations the better he responds, so hopefully the same will apply with this!

We had a fun swim at Karori Pool with George and Phoebe this afternoon (well Daddy & Noah while I aquajogged). This has ended up being yet another crazy busy week, not helped by the pressure of trying to get the baby's room all set up so Nana & Poppa could see it all ready this weekend. But at least it's done now! Next weekend we're heading up to the Naki for a quick visit, and taking Jackie along for the ride, so that will be fun and it will probably our last weekend away from Wellington for a wee while! Hopefully we can have a few quiet nights in this week before the weekend though. Sleep is starting to become a little more elusive in the early mornings as my bump grows which means I feel a little more tired at the end of each day, but we still don't seem to manage to get into bed much before 10pm no matter how hard we try! Oh well, guess getting used to less sleep is pretty good preparation for what lies ahead!

Apart from the obvious fun and entertainment we have all had watching Noah find such enjoyment in the various celebrations he has had this week, it has also been a chance for us as parents to reflect on the past 3 years. As spoilt as Noah has been with all his presents, we're so NOT about the gifts! For me, seeing the confidence and exuberance Noah has developed over the past few months as he has grown towards three has been such a joy. Although he can still have his moments of initial shyness in new situations, these are usually shortlived as soon as he finds his feet! Yesterday at 'his' party, he was on top form and there was also not even any shyness whatsoever with Nana & Poppa this weekend when they arrived as he dived right into conversation and interaction with them which was lovely to see.

Noah we are so proud of you, and you have brought us so much joy and pleasure these past three years. You will always be our treasured and much loved first born son in whom we delight.
Posted by Meghan Maloney Photography at 4:54 PM