Birthday party

Today was Dan's birthday party with all his sisters, which due to the complex logistics of work and geography was going to be a rather protracted affair. It started with me getting up fairly early (for a Saturday) to nip to Booths for a few ingredients and then back home to bake the birthday cake. At this stage there was only me and Dan in the house so there was no issue when divvying up the spoils.

Dan headed off to drama just before midday and I went to pick up Charlie from Oxenholme and then we went to pick up the food for birthday lunch. Dan came home and were joined by Izzy, Abi, the Minx and miniMinx, and then Milly. It was a lovely houseful. I would normally decorate the cake myself but Izzy and Charlie wanted to do that and I have to say that they have learnt well from the master :-)

(Actually, that said, Izzy did design a guitar, which you can just make out, which is a bit more ambitious than anything I would attempt!)

Dan is such a gracious chap that he handles being the centre of attention beautifully, modest but full of smiles, chatting to everyone, and genuinely pleased by all his presents. 

At some point, Izzy and Milly disappeared off to work and we collected Hannah from the station, and then there was wine and Chinese food and a slightly awkward moment when we realised we'd eaten all the cake. (It was *very* good, though.)