Rafi's Birthday Bash!

 We had Raf's birthday party a couple of weeks ago. He'd invited his entire class plus neighborhood friends and their siblings, so we were expecting MANY people. 10 days beforehand I was obsessively checking the weather, and for the longest time it looked as though it was going to rain. How we'd accommodate so many people in our humble house was a bit concerning. Thankfully the sun shone and it was a gorgeous day. Raf had a blast - indeed we all did. It was a very fun day with 30 or so children running around like maniacs!

And we hired a bounce house! very last minute, but it was a fun addition. I bounced on it a little bit and it was really exhausting. No wonder poor old Charlie was so tired as he was on there practically all day with his big friend Cameron.

Trying it out.

I made all the food except for this wonderful cake. I liked to pretend it was my work, though :)

All ready!

And then everyone arrived! One of Raf's best friends, Gideon.

Slide into the pool, washing up liquid on the slip n' slide... just adding a bit of danger.

And the piñata! This was absolutely crazy with all the children desperate for a go and then desperate they'd miss the sweeties (no chance of that as Rich went out and bought more candy after my pathetic haul).

And then cake!

We'd asked Raf's friends to bring bikes or scooters for a birthday parade... it was incredible fun!

And finally presents... so so many presents. They were like animals ripping everything open, with Chaz in particular helping.  I have no idea who brought what but everyone was so generous.

Finally everyone left and the boys (including Rich!) had a nap, and then our neighbours came over for another bounce on the bouncy castle and a glass of sangria. Very lovely day.

Bye bye bouncy castle, you were fun. Though Raf's very favourite part of the day was the parade. Thanks so much for everyone who came, who helped clear away, and for keeping an eye on Charlie who I barely saw all day!

Friends!

I'm so behind on blogging but a few pictures from last Friday when we hit the beach with some friends: our lovely neighbours and their little boy Brady, and my friend Stacey and her crew. Lots of fun crabbing (Raf unwittingly almost killed a crab and was devastated by it, though thankfully the crab was fine), and playing in the water. Charlie had a fantastic time with Brady. They spent at least 30-40 minutes running into the waves together.  Really fun morning at the beach. 

SIX

Last Tuesday Raf turned SIX! So today he is six years old and one week. It was a lovely day, with Rich taking the day off from work to help us celebrate. Raf woke up at 6am, smiling, and said, 'it's my birthday'! He wanted breakfast in bed with a little present to open... He could barely contain himself. 

Not so patiently waiting... 

Present was unwrapped first...

And then breakfast...

Charlie woke-up in the midst of Raf opening his first gift and said, 'ninja turtle for Charlie'? Thankfully we'd gotten a few little presents for Charlie as this is a tough old age to watch others receiving lots of presents.

Breakfast in bed... and all over the duvet!

Hatts watched on... vaguely interested.

And then downstairs.

Very excited.

So many lovely gifts.

Matching jumpers for the boys.

"What in the world?" Raf kept saying...

Lots of lovely loot. Thanks for the train set and train Nana!

New kicks... from the UK.  And lots of nina turtle swag.

Thanks, Aunty Bex! Both boys love this stuff.

Showing off his new swag.

And the we headed to lunch. We were planning on going to the water park but the weather looked as though it was going to be gloomy so we planned to go to the fairground that evening. We went to the Lobster Shack, which is on a beautiful bit of coastline. The chips are very nice there, too.

Yummy! And the weather was GLORIOUS.

Lots of playing on the rocks. 

And then we rushed into Portland and made it to the train museum for the last train of the day. Another lovely ride in lovely sunshine. (Forecast was very wrong).

They wandered off holding hands to ring the bell of the train.

Ring, ring.

All aboard and off we go again.

The boys were completely exhausted and fell asleep in the car. We thought we were heading out again so thought a 5pm nap would be fine, except then it started to rain.

Cake time cheered us up.

We Facetimed with Nana to sing happy birthday to Raf, though FaceTime doesn't allow one to share cake over the inter webs, sadly.

And then lots of playing with new toys, especially the train set, and then a very, very late jaunt around the block in new jumpers. The fairground had to wait.

Raf had a brilliant day. He went to bed declaring that this was his best day ever.  He said to me, 'Night perfect, splendid Mummy'!