Absolutely, ridiculously late, but to be on time would break the Birthday Blog Post tradition in the BavarianSojourn Household wouldn’t it? I don’t think I have ever been on time with one once…
I am honestly not quite sure how, but we have a three year old in the house.
Three really is a magic number in my eyes – no longer a tiny dependant baby, he strives for independence every single day – determined to put his own shoes on, to help with things like dinner, and quite precariously (for me anyway, in that I actually really love my eyesight) wanting to help me put my make up on (I try and avoid this situation as often as I can!).
With quite a big gap between him and his siblings, these kind of moments take me right back to when the older two were tiny. Except this time I know how quickly time goes, so I try not to take a single moment of it for granted…
We celebrated with a big family gathering which has to be THE best thing about being back in the UK, we even managed to get one or two decent shots of all the cousins together after around 300 takes and a lot of Halloween sweet based blackmail.
The Birthday Boy himself requested various cakes, mostly involving something blue (his favourite colour). The theme would change daily with a blue car cake request one minute, a blue digger with a dog (?) the next, a blue car with a digger and a dog the next, and finally Stick Man. I remain eternally grateful to a lady called Bridgette Knight for putting her Stickman Cake on Pinterest so that I could copy it in a blind panic on the morning of the big day. She also reintroduced me to Flakes which as I haven’t had one since well before we left the UK, I will also be eternally grateful for… Luckily Stick Man isn’t all that wide, I ate quite a few though so I might be soon.
The Toddler had an absolute ball, and managed to eat his own body weight in Stick Man cake AND sausage rolls. He completely enjoyed being the centre of attention, and went to bed later that evening worn out and utterly amazed at the whole birthday concept (I think he might have been a little young to understand it all before!). Although, having said that, I took his decorations down at the weekend to put Halloween decorations up, and that traumatised him somewhat as I was “taking his Birthday down”…
A little note as is the Bavarian Sojourn offspring Birthday tradition…
Someone once warned me about the last child you have, and how they are always slightly louder than the rest. It’s probably a nature thing… Back in the mists of time, third cavemen children probably had to be louder so that they were fed, and didn’t get left behind. I think you definitely have that third child loudness gene (not that I would ever forget to feed you, or indeed leave you behind anywhere)… I guessed that the moment they wheeled you back into my hospital room as a newborn, with a dummy that I hadn’t given you (the midwives had, you were disturbing the other babies).
Typically (out of the three of my children), you went on to reject a dummy, I think they might have come in handy from time to time. On the plus side, it’s easy to find you when we are all in the supermarket together and I need to leave you with your Dad to nip off to another aisle to quickly pick something up… Losing sight of you in a soft play environment is never an issue either… Upsides also include being the loudest supporter at your Brother’s football matches (we currently have to stop you from pitch invading though!). I also enjoy it when we meet your older siblings from school on the odd occasion. Apparently it’s “not cool” to have your baby brother yelling at you to “hurry up” from miles away (but it is funny! I am just grateful you have stopped shouting Go away Nanny at elderly ladies!).
Of course our most recent move went completely over your head, but the main advantage for you at least is a truly wonderful preschool in one of the most beautiful Hampshire Villages. You also get to go with your cousin which is so lovely having been away from family for so long (although there is a bit of a love triangle going on between you and her best friend with you both vying for her attention!!). You really adore everything about the place, and get up to all sorts. Monday Forest School is a huge favourite, and you bring home all manner of treasures, from various stones to conker necklaces and beyond. Being outside is something you have always loved, and to be completely honest so do I, in as much as it’s lovely, it’s also brilliant for tiring you out (I am beginning to wonder if you were a dog in a former life!)…
At three you are still wheel mad, and you have the beginnings of the most wonderfully wicked sense of humour, you really do make us all laugh every single day. You are also very sweet and caring (most of the time) asking if people are “kay?” if they hurt themselves or look a bit sad (including complete strangers!). Singing is a new obsession, and I kind of hope you don’t learn the right words to a lot of songs (my favourite has to be “my friend lady” instead of “my fair lady” in his rendition of London Bridge!)
As I will always say, I will never forget our slightly traumatic start as a family of five, but I would go through it all again in a heartbeat for you. You really do complete our family – the very last slightly noisy piece of our jigsaw. We love you so much. xxx
Kara says
I am loving his stick man birthday cake – how is he 3 already???? Happy Birthday little man xx
Emma says
Thanks Kara. I know, it goes so quickly! :) x
Michelle Twin Mum says
So great that you’re back near family and can enjoy celebrating with them. The stickman cake is fab. Mich X
Emma says
Thanks Mich! :) x
Elizabeth says
That stickman cake is a genius idea! Happy birthday to your little one – enjoy this age. :)
Emma says
Thanks so much Elizabeth! :) x
WhatLauraLoves says
That cake is fabulous, what a great idea to use Flakes as the stick! xxx
Emma says
Thank you! :) x
kirsty says
Happy third birthday to your son and I am glad he had a lovely day filled with eating lots of that delicious stick man cake. My daughter turns 2 in March and I know what you mean about time going fast.
Emma says
It really does doesn’t it? Thanks Kirsty! :)
Everything beautiful says
Happy 3 to your son, looks like he had lots of fun on his birthday. My so will be turning 3 this month I’m so so excited about it.
Emma says
Thank you so much. 3 is such a brilliant age! :) x
Tanja/The Red Phone Box travels says
beautiful post! happy 3 years! oh, I can’t believe my boy is 1!:) time does fly by!
Emma says
Than you Tanja, it goes so quickly doesn’t it? x
Melanie williams says
A big happy third birthday from my way. I love that stick man flake cake too by the way xx
Emma says
Thanks so much Melanie. Such a great book too! :D x
Beth Sachs says
Happy Birthday! My three year old is soon to be a four year old….can’t believe how quickly time has flown.
Emma says
People always said it to me, but I didn’t believe them before I had kids! :D Thanks Beth.
Emma says
Love this Em. Beautifully written and so heartfelt. Love you Master R x
Emma says
Aw thank you Em. He loves you too (he’s super attached to the MerLion by the way, it gets put to bed every night! :D) xxx
Grace says
Ahhhh our little, lovely, very noisy Bruno Bear! xx
Emma says
Ta Ma. I know he’s not well when he’s quiet at least. It’s the only time! :D xx