A First Birthday

Goodnight and farewell, first year. Final preparations made late into the night, as cake is decorated (yes, of *course* it has to be a cat) and the blanket Jenna embroidered for Poppy has to be finished off.Good morning One Year Old! Sisters pour in, singing, and jump onto the bed to kiss you all over. Clamouring, both, to give presents...Almost all made with love, too. And everything else chosen just perfectly for Roo and her likes and habits.A birthday celebration waiting downstairs, with candles to be FULLY experienced (sigh) and lots of pretty decorations chosen with our beloved tiny Rowan Tree in mind.A parcel from Joxy! Excellent timing, and the girls were all so very happy to each receive a card from Rye. :)Breakfast croissants.A trip to see grandma, too ill to come for lunch with us today. I'm glad Rowan got to see them, and we miss them so much. She is suddenly frail. However long we have, it is precious time.Attenborough in the sunshine.Jenna halfway up her favorite tree.Paddling - these tiny wellies are still huge on her (this is the first time this babba has ever worn any kind of real shoe, and I felt very strange about letting her try them even though she has been walking for a month). All Rowan wanted to do was pursue the geese and swans onto the water. She stood there, trying to reach them, getting cross with me for refusing to let go! Can't wait now for her first real paddle, somewhere more shallow though I think!And after tea with Chris, Emma and Connor, a nighttime walk on the park. Such a busy day!