So, Saturday was my birthday and I got an impromptu party the night before with Lorna, texts (from 8am just to enquire if "life HAD started yet", emails, cards, presents, phone calls, an overload of flowers and a trip in a Big Wheel! What more could a girl ask for? Oh, what about a surprise meal out and surprise-ed-er party after?

Jacqui (who is over for the weekend) and I took the children to the new Big Wheel in Belfast which was good fun - to an extent. My advice would be to certainly go but don't expect to want to go more than once in your life. It is expensive enough for a family (no family discounted ticket boo!) but is marshalled very well and, during what was a busy Saturday afternoon, it was fast enough to walk through the well laid out crowd control before getting in to a pod.

The pod doesn't swing too much so long as you don't move around too much when it is at the top but the most disconcerting thing about the whole experience was the Windows Start Up noise as we got in to the pod at the beginning. Somehow or other it was less than calming to know that we were in the hands of something which is prone to The Blue Screen Of Death. . .

It is supposed to take around 15 minutes from start to finish and I suppose it did - many of them were spent sitting still waiting as people got on and off. While up high enough the views were great - we saw all the way to the mouth of the Lagan, the Cranes, The Odyssey, the Royal Mail building and although I am sure there were many lovely things to look at behind me I tried. not. to. swivel. too. much.

The kids seemed to enjoy it ok - I think Jessica thought she was going on some kind of roller-coaster but wasn't too disappointed. Jacqui and I had been on the one in Manchester so it wasn't exhilarating for us but at least the views were more familiar.

After a bite to eat we headed to work to leave the children with Iain so we could go and set up the exhibition. I had 15 frames to hang and Iain had asked us to head home before 8pm as he had booked a table for the three of us. The first thing that happened was a presentation of flowers and card from Linda, Paul and Craig which was very touching.

It took ages for us to get the photos up. Craig was there doing his too but it was a lot easier for him as they are all different sizes so no one will notice if the frames are skewed but mine had to be a lot more precise. Jacqui and I worked away together and finally finished at 7pm. Just enough time to head home, have a very quick shower and head to the restaurant after saying hello to the baby sitters!

When we entered the bar area it was obvious there had been a conspiracy going on - my friends were there waiting! Presents were a-plenty, as were questions and explanations, there was even a lovely cake and the craic was mighty.

Back at the house, I watched Jessica run quickly through the hall as I approached the front door and by the time I got to the living room door there were lots of whispers and shhhhing to be heard. I opened the door quickly as if to surprise the occupants to find ANOTHER surprise waiting - more family - and the whole room had been DUNN up in my absence! As if by magic! There were banners and balloons and more cards all round the room.

I needed another drink. And another. And perhaps one more for good measure.

Great day! It was a day I have been dreading for at least a year now. The day itself was nothing to be so scared off I suppose but . . . dude. . . not liking the f-word too much.

Thank you to everyone who made it really special - whether they were in attendance on the day or not. Some people know how to make a party

Tags: Birthday

It's Iain's birthday today yayayayayay - poor soul - nothing much is happening for him - no surprise party and I think only his Mummy has remembered him. He annoyed Jessica so much this morning by revving the car engine to hurry her along that she refused to even say Happy birthday to him never mind sing it!

Here he is, on holiday in France last year, holding up his mental age in fingers.

Just to prove that you don't get any more clever as you grow older here is a conversation we had the other day while watching a makeover show with Mica Paris hosting it. . .

Him : Who is that?

Me : Mica Paris - she's a singer.

Him : Oh. Yea. Um. What's she to that Hilton woman then?

*smacks head*

Tags: Birthday, Iain

It was my birthday yesterday. Thank you to everyone who remembered, sent cards and presents, spent time with me or brought me birthday picnic to keep up my strength even though you had to text me to tell me to open the door cos I was still too sick to be out of my bed yet. . . .

Iain's Mum and Dad came round last night with my birthday money and to be honest it is burning a hole in my pocket. I have promised the kids we will go out today somewhere nice but after this I'ma thinking a quick visit down to PC World might be in order - and anyway, they haven't thought of anywhere to go yet! You snooze - you lose!

How cool are those new Shuffles? You think I really need one? I think I'll go looking for a Wireless Mighty Mouse instead. In theory - by putting a little money towards them, I could get both . . . But gorgeous as it IS I don't think I really would use the Shuffle after the novelty wore off.

Poor Iain. He put HIS birthday money towards getting the car ready to be sold. I feel a little selfish thinking of something geeky to spend mine on. Will be working hard on that guilt trip.

Jacqui is visiting for the weekend. We spent last night watching two of the three dvds she brought me and are heading off to the cinema this evening to see the next in the trilogy. Will try to review them all soon.

The picture today is, once more, courtesy of Caitlin. This was the birthday card she sent me. Quite the little contributor now!

Awwwww. Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a good one. While you can still manage them.

You know:

I remember a time before you existed

I remember the day you were born 

I remember looking at you through the hospital window

I remember how cute you were with your blond hair as a toddler

I remember interpreting for you before you could speak

I remember your bucket and spade

I remember how I wished you would go away

And then you did.

I am so glad I have you back again.

Love you  - let's run with this now.

Happy Birthday.