eight is great

Yesterday, we celebrated James' eight Birthday. He was very exited the night before, as we knew he would be. Funny enough, in the morning, he just went downstairs and watched the telly for a wee while before insisting that he absolutely had to find out what presents were waiting for him. Maybe he needed to savour being eight for a bit without sharing the experience. He was a very happy boy. He liked all his presents, a Playmobil spy car, binoculars and a game called Dobble among them.



He particularly liked the water gun Sam had chosen for him. We took it on our family dog walk later in the morning, after a traditional cake breakfast. 



the traditional birthday cake

The water gun has a biggish reservoir and the water lasted for a while. 


Then James had a good swing on his favourite swings, overlooking his land.


After our walk, James asked every three minutes when his friends would arrive. The answer ranged from two hours to five minutes to now.... James discovered climbing when we went camping in Kinlochleven back in May and he wanted to take a few of his friends climbing instead of the usual Birthday party in the house. We chose to go to the Glasgow Climbing Centre, which is a converted church where both Sam and Annie regularly climb with Scouts. It is good value for money and the coaches are very competent. At 2 pm, four exited children arrived at the house. We decided to give them a snack of cake and we also sang Happy Birthday. 


the climbing wall cake


Then Annie and I herded them up and drove them to the climbing centre, where we handed them over to a coach for almost two hours. Annie and I read our books in the balcony cafe. It was rather nice.





Because every Birthday party requires food, preferably food that is not often eaten otherwise, we took them to McDonalds for a happy meal. Luckily they all got the same Minion figure! Richard, Sam, Alistair and Olivia met us there 'for support' although I am fairly certain some just wanted fries and needed an excuse. 
Richard, Olivia and I had a proper dinner later, vegetarian stuffed peppers, lambs ear salad and strawberries because we are goodie two shoes (but we all had fries for starters, as you do). After the feast, Annie and I dropped all the party guests off at their home. 



The party was a great success and for once, the house didn't look like a bombsite. Must keep this in mind next time we have a Birthday. By that time, James was exhausted and a few tantrums ensued but bedtime was near and he went to bed a happy boy. 


Today, a mature eight year old, James was allowed to go to the local Spar all by himself to buy a loaf of bread. This is a traditional family rite of passage. It involves crossing a small road and is the ultimate test of ones maturity. He passed with top marks and even remembered to buy the bread. Another tradition is height measurement. James grew a lot since his last Birthday. I did of course know this because all his trousers are too short. 

Here's to another year of growing and being a happy little boy James! 


Comments

  1. H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y ! It sounds a super day, well done!

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  2. Happy Birthday James. What a great day you had.
    Rosezeeta

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  3. Love the description of the birthday boys day & the rights of passage too. Very wise! Happy birthday James x

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  4. happy birthday wishes. cake for breakfast, how wonderful xxx

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  5. Sounds idyllic, I love the idea of cake for breakfast and fries for a starter. So glad he had such a good day.

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  6. What a lovely birthday and the rights of passage a wonderful idea :-)

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  7. Happy birthday James... What a super smile in that last picture. I like your birthday traditions... Especially cake for breakfast! Although I have to admit to have a small piece of cake for my breakfast this morning and it's not even my birthday... Oops!

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  8. Happy Birthday James! Wow food shopping at 8, I am really impressed, my lot don't do it til they're 10. I wonder why ? My little tomboy will be 8 in September. She is fearless and takes no nonsense off anyne but I still have to come with her when she calls for her friend 2 doors down "I'm too scared Mummy": you would think the parents were scary or the house creepy - nope, she just still needs Mummy as a backup !
    Jillxo

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  9. A very happy birthday to James. I love reading about all your traditions. In our family we have a birthday breakfast, but the cake waits until after tea. And the loaf of bread expedition - fantastic!

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  10. Happy birthday James! I see why you needed two cakes now, one for breakfast and one for later on :-) xx

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  11. Happy Birthday to James, I'm so glad he had such a good time, it sounds like the very best of days. Mine like to climb walls when they get the chance too. Well done you for making it such a wonderful birthday. CJ xx

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  12. Happy birthday to James! Love that big smile in the last photo. Glad to hear he loved all his presents and he had a great day with all his friends and family. His birthday cakes look fantastic! X

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  13. Eight is such a great age! He looks so happy in the pictures. A climbing gym was a great idea. A way for them to get rid of all that birthday energy without destroying your house!

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  14. Happy birthday to James, he's a brave boy to do climbing. I hate heights and even with protective gear I don't think I could do it.

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  15. It sounds like a wonderful birthday! I am very jealous of his cakes ;) I'm glad everyone had such a good time, he looks like a very happy boy :) x

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  16. Christina, it sounds like you gave him a wonderful birthday. That has to be the most beautiful climbing gym in the world, with those old beams. Glad you got to get a break from the 8 year old craziness and relax a bit there. The climbing wall cake is cute!

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  17. Cake for breakfast is a birthday tradition I'd like to start here! Happy birthday James! xx

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  18. Happy birthday James!
    I love all of your birthday traditions, Christina, especially cake for breakfast. I refuse to have birthday parties at home. I'm too old for all of the stress and clearing up. And quite frankly, MacDonald's is as good a choice as any for birthday tea.
    Leanne xx

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  19. Happy birthday to James. When my son, also called James, had his eighth birthday he cried because he didn't want to change his age! He soon got over it though. Looks Like your James had a great day.

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  20. Happy belated birthday wishes to James! Love the climbing wall cake! And the Spar shopping trip tradition - what a brilliant idea. On such traditions are family memories made. X

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  21. Eight is brilliant I think. They are still so full of fun and love their families (especially their mum's). And they are not at the age where they are changing yet. Happy Birthday James.
    Meredith

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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