Everything but temptation

Today is my 37th birthday. Dominic woke me up saying Happy Birthday at 5.50am but then thankfully snuggled up with me until 7ish. Next thing I knew we were being roused by Maddie calling from her cot, 'Knock, knock. Who's there?' which is Mad-speak for 'Hello. Is there anybody out there? Is it morning? Where's my breakfast?'

I quietened the monsters with Bran Flakes and then they bustled off to do things in the green room while I drank coffee and opened some cards and parcels. Max pottered in. He wished me Happy Birthday, tucked into his Shreddies and looked rather quizzically at my card from his Uncle Alan and Uncle Scott.

In a bit, while the turbulent trio created havoc downstairs, I nipped off for a shower. In my absence they made me some gifts. Dominic made a card with a cake on the front and wrote in his beautiful, joined up handwriting 'Happey (sic) Birthday Mum. I love you' and also made me a very fine paper aeroplane. Madeleine drew some squiggles on a piece of paper (giving herself and the furniture a welcome respite period) one of which Dominic assures me is a fish. Max made me a cuddly toy. A cuddly toy? Yes, a cuddly toy: out of a piece of green A4 paper, some sellotape and a small box which he used to pad it out (obviously). I am to sleep with it tonight.

Really, after all that industry it was a miracle that I got them to school and pre-school on time. Sometimes I just don't know how I do it.

Then, in the quiet and more tranquil company of Mel and Madeleine, I had lunch and did a spot of shopping. Did I say tranquil? Ah. Then I am already blotting out Maddie yelling 'Out, out' as we tooled her about in her pushchair and snarling 'No!' when asked if she might consider sharing out her packet of crisps. Isn't old age and failing memory a wonderful thing.

At 4pm I picked up the boys and was wished Happy Birthday by every member of staff I saw. How that Dominic does love to share his news. We walked home and then set about decorating my cake. We baked it yesterday and iced and silver-balled it today. I think it looked rather fine, if a bit dribbly. ‘I like it Mummy’ said Madeleine. The other two said nothing - just wolfed it down.

I am reliably informed by Dominic that this has been one of my best birthdays. Apparently the best bit for me was my presents and the worst bit was when I put too much water in the icing. The best bit for him was the cake and his worst bit was when I shouted at him and kicked him out of the kitchen for stealing the icing:
‘But you see Mummy, I knew I shouldn’t - but it was just too tempting!’ Thank you Oscar.