Twelve!

   So, Wednesday arrived - Tom's birthday.  Not the best time for a birthday during full lockdown, but hey the kids are all used to it now!  Although Tom said he wasn't that bothered by his birthday, he spent most of Tuesday night in bed in tears - he couldn't get to sleep.  He wasn't excited about his birthday, but he couldn't sleep - it got to the stage where he was way too stressed to get to sleep.  It was after midnight until he finally got off.  Then of course, neither me nor Matt could sleep because we were worried that he would start crying again.  Oh hum.  He might be growing up, but he is still quite young really.

He came bouncing into our room at 7.45 for present opening.  Considering it is lockdown and therefore no presents from friends, he did really really well.  There was certainly a couple of themes: 1) curry - he got a curry chef apron, a spice caddy with a host of spices to put in it and a book of curries 2) cricket: an  England Cricket top which he has been wanting for ages, a cricket rebounder net and a cricket ball birthday cake 3) biking: a new bike and biking top.  We also got him some new board games, just because half term is next week and we need something new to do.  Oh, almost forgot, as usual Martin over did it and got Tom an enormous lego kit of a dumper truck with a proper motor which can be controlled by his phone!  Anyway, thanks everybody, he's a lucky boy!

  

We had sort of hidden his new bike downstairs, behind the island unit, but it was too big and he spotted it instantly.  He thought he had got everything, so was quite surprised but happy to get it.  Every time he finished a lesson early he was across in the car park testing it out.  He has tested every bike over there!  This time he was bouncing it up and down as it has suspension.  

We had breakfast and then it was on to home school - oh joy!  To be fair it wasn't too bad.  He had a live form time, a live check in for English and a live music lesson which was last period and a check up to see how people found the work.  After 15 mins the teacher told the kids to finish early unless they needed to catch up.  Tom had done everything so he finished early yahooo.  He and Matt immediately went on a bike ride to try out the new bike - Tom was very happy with it, it has suspension and 27 gears.  It was a beautiful day - clear and blue skies but very very cold.  

We hadn't told anyone it was Tom's birthday, but still a number of people knew and came for a socially distanced chat and to drop of pressies.  We had visits from the Bickerstaffs, Fosters, Grannie and Grandpa, the Wilkinsons and Mannings.  We also had zoom calls with Jude and Craig and Granma and Pop Pop.  Not bad and just as well some of Tom's lessons finished early. The only one we got behind with was English, and as he has 2 more lessons, we figured we would catch up on it later in the week.  It was a seriously social day - lovely for all of us.

Tom wanted to cook for his birthday tea - yay!  Japanese curry was on the menu - perfect as he had his new Curry Chef apron.  We made it together as with all the social calls we had got behind.  We had teas on knees in front of the first episode of Blue Planet, which Tom had got on DVD.

It wasn't the most thrilling or fun filled day, but I think he was happy enough.  Expectations for fun have lowered over the past year!