Outnumbered

That's it. There is a majority (60%) of teenagers in the house... 
The morning of the big day was marked with the ceremony of the unveiling of the Year Just Past photo gallery. For each of their birthday, each year, I print out about 20 A4 photos of them taken in the last 12 months and hang them around the Birthday room. They'll stay up for about a week. 
In Finn's gallery this year again there are very few shots where he has a straight face. And I really don't mind. Because he rarely has a straight face. 

You really are a joy to have around the house Pipitteen. All those noises, and imitations, and songs, and slogans, and sounds effects. No wonder you are so popular in school. You have really taken to secondary school like a duck to water and made new mates from day one. Great mates, like Turlough who drew a Rolex on your wrist for your birthday.

On the rare occasions when you've been away from the house for the evening and night, while on a sleepover at mates, the place feels a lot different. A lot more quiet. Not quite as bursting with life and laughter. 

Don't change Pipitte. There is no rush.