Steve's birthday

Steve's birthday fell on a Sunday this year so we got to celebrate it as a family.  I had taken the opportunity while he was away to buy his presents and the kids helped me wrap them - they all took it in turns to stick sellotape on the wrapping - and most of the time we got it in the right place!  I did wonder whether it was a good idea as they saw the presents - and, naturally, they are not the most discreet at this age!  But, give them credit, they did not tell him a bean - even in the excitement of unwrapping - but I get ahead of myself.

We decided we would not remind them on Sunday morning that it was his birthday as we knew we would not have time to unwrap before Church.  Steve had a bit of a lie-in (oh, how that has changed with kids!  Staying in bed till 7 or 8 is a luxury now) then we left for church.  I had told Rose that he would choose where we ate for lunch as it was his birthday but we ended up at Wendy's (a McDonald's type place but we like it better). We have a habit of sitting at the table by the window because we can see the MRT (monorail type train) from there and the kids count the carriages.  Although Rose always gets to the teens and there is only ever 9 carriages max.!

Anyway, we got home and after changing and organising drinks etc. Steve opened his presents.  I think his favourite was a light sabre that I managed to find for him.  Josh decided he really liked it too so I expect he will be getting one for Christmas which Steve is happy with as they make a noise when you hit them against each other.

Joshua was most upset that daddy did not choose a birthday cake and we had not made him one - probably rightly so.  Not sure how that got under the radar because Josh had mentioned it in the run up to Steve's birthday too.

It rained really heavily in the afternoon so we did not go out as planned - Steve often plays football at school on a Sunday afternoon and we either swim - or, as the temperature has got milder, play on the playground. 

I also got Steve the mini Starbucks mugs of the Philippines they are doing but I managed to break a handle in transit.  But they are cool and a good addition to his collection.  He had spotted them a weeks or so ago when we were in Starbucks but I had already bought them so pretended nonchalance.