Birthday celebrations

 

 

 

 

 

We celebrated  Heidi's birthday quietly on the actual day, the usual breakfast of choc chip pancakes and strawberries, and then later that day we went to the lake with friends and painted for a few hours.

The following Saturday we had the most wonderful day celebrating Swallows and Amazon's style.  That book has captured everyone's imagination, and so I tried to create a celebration where the adventure was all the children's without 'natives' getting in the way.  The lake close to our home is perfect.  It's a lake for a start, kind of important to go with the theme, but also you can see almost all the paths from any given spot so although the kids we on their own we could keep an eye.   I hid clues in the morning and then gave the party goers a couple of back packs with instructions and supplies for the challenge.  Every clue lead to the next clue and a challenge connected with that location.
They had to creek jump and measure the longest jump, rename the map locations to something meaningful to them, catch a minnow, eat their ships rations (homemade iced buns, caramels and cucumbers) and identify and sketch two birds, then back to the pavilion to unscramble the word problem and find their treasure (the take home gifts). 
Then we had lashings of tea, and cake. 

I haven't enjoyed a party more, lots of prep and no actual stress on the day.  In fact I spent the party sitting in the pavilion drinking tea with another Mum. I had planned for an hour perhaps an hour and half, but  two and a half hours later they were finally done having had a wonderful time.  (We did check in with them that they wanted to keep going and were told in no uncertain terms that what was started was going to be finish!)

Swallows and Amazons forever.

9 years ago today.....

A tiny girl was born.......

She turned one.....

Then two......


then three......

 

then four.....

then five.....

then six......

 

 

 Then seven.......

 

 

 

 

 Then eight.....................

 

And now nine comes along.  The last year of single digits, the milestone eager to every child's heart and painful to every Mama's. 

Heidi we love having you as our firstborn. You are so capable when asked to do something, you lead the games and plays with increasing skill and the phrase 'I read it in a book' is your standard answer for anything we are surprised you know. 

Keep reading God's word at the start of every day and throughout of course, allow it to mold you and give you perspective to all that you encounter along your life.  As you grow in your knowledge of what God thinks, you can use it to take on or set aside all the things you read and feel in the coming years. Remember some of the lessons we are learning in your read a loud, God wants you to serve Him now, and never wait till you're older. Daddy and I will be praying for you and cheering you along the way.

We love you our Heidi Penne xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six years ago today......

Six years ago on a cold and snowy day a little girl was born at home.  We named her Hope Ruby and pray that she will learn to treasure the Hope of the world sent at Christmas time to be her Saviour. 

 

 

She grew fast! Which is unusual for these Hindle babies and was soon one. We had a sledging and hot chocolate party that year and green and pink cupcakes. 

Then we blinked or so it seemed and you were two  Lots happened that year and we took you to IKEA, shopped your pressies on the day and had cupcakes 2 weeks late.  I'm ashamed to admit I don't know where the pics are, or even if we have any.  As Mummy explained a lot happened that year!

 

The year you turned 3 you were so poorly that we had to cancel your party and put the cake into the freezer. But later in the week we celebrated the with the princess cake, a gaggle of friends and lots of fun.

 

 

Then you turned 4.  That year was colder than any other, and everyone got stuck in hideous traffic trying to get to the swimming pool.  But, we all had fun, swimming and playing and eating chilli at 9pm because we stayed at the pool long enough for everyone to  have a good time.

 

 

And then you turned 5.  That was the year we had the Princess and the pea cake and Mummy forgot to put the pea on!

And so, the eve of your birthday has come, and you ran down the corridor to bed excited for the last time you'd do it age five.  But by the time I tucked you in, you were sad that being five was almost done.  You're a sweet sweet girl Hopie, loved by us very much.  Your enthusiasm for your games makes me smile, you are the thinker of many exciting adventures, your siblings adore you, and I pray that this coming year you will grow in your love for Jesus, and all He did for you at the cross.

We love you sweet Hopie x