Matthew celebrated his 7th birthday yesterday!

1. The Party

He had a party on Saturday with his friends here at home. 14 kids + rain = a noisy indoor party! The kids had a great time, but boy was it noisy! We had lots of games like musical bumps, musical statues, sleeping lions and pass-the-parcel. Plus they watched Star Wars whilst they ate their party lunch, which was a great success.

I was in my element decorating the house for the party; hanging up homemade bunting, balloons and making tissue paper pom-poms (very 'in' in the US, see here and here for examples).

Matthew chose a Star Wars Clone Wars cake for the party as that was his theme. I did however make some cupcakes - you can't have a party without cupcakes can you?

Matthew got the best presents ever from his friends - so very kind and thoughtful. He absolutely loves Lego (I probably don't even need to say that) and got 7 Lego kits including 2 of the new lego games. He was thrilled. We let him open his presents after the party as he would be at school on his actual birthday.

2. Sunday with family.

Grandma and Grandad Broomfield, Auntie Janet and Uncle Richard came over. My Dad gave Matthew a Southern Railway locomotive for his train set (Southern Railway used to run through here back in the day). We bought his track downstairs and put it on the dining table for the afternoon.

3. Tuesday 11th, his 'actual' birthday. The Presents.

Matthew was up early to open his presents from us. The 'biggie' was a Lego Battle of Endor set from us, my sister and my parents. Lego + Star Wars = A very happy boy!

We also gave him some more Lego (Star Wars magnets and a Snowtrooper battle pack), a football goal, a football, a Wii game and a remote control R2-D2 (which I bought after Christmas half price).

4. At School.

He went to school happy knowing that he would get to wear the 'birthday hat' and his class would sing "Happy Birthday" to him. He also told me later that he put his hand up in Worship (Assembly) to tell the Headmaster it was his birthday, what he'd got and what special things he was going to do. The Headmaster gave him a birthday sticker, Matthew was very proud.

On his way to school in the morning wearing the birthday badge we put in with his card.

5. Mini Golf.

After school we went to play Mini Golf in Bournemouth. This was something Matthew had wanted to do for ages.

Matthew had a great time, Callum on the other hand kept getting really frustrated when the ball wouldn't go into the hole. He doesn't like losing!

6. A Meal Out.

Then we went to Frankie and Benny's for dinner. Matthew chose Pizza - his favourite thing to eat.

Then the music stopped, they played the birthday music and out came his dessert with a candle in it. He felt very special!

7. The End of the Day.

At home he had another birthday cake, homemade this time with lots of chocolates M&Ms (M for Matthew!) - see photo at top of post. A game of football with the new balls and goal - there's already a worn patch appearing in the grass!

More lego building and then off to bed. The end of a fabulous birthday for a seven year old.