Ruby Tuesday!!

Today I have reached Fabulous 40! I don't have any feelings either way about my age; it is a number and really it is just another day........but I really did have a most beautiful birthday because I got to share it with my whole family! As you know my sister and nieces are staying with us, so they were all there to bestow best wishes upon me first thing this morning!

The table was already beautifully laid when I got up this morning! And my darling husband gave me such a pretty bunch of roses.

Breakfast was a real treat! We had funny paper cups for the children........

My cards and a few of my presents to open....(I know it's not a great photo of me, but everyone insisted I put it up here!..I'm trying to not be too critical of myself!)

Phil and the children took turns to make us all pancakes........YUM!

While I had a lovely long bath, some cupcake fairies got busy in my kitchen, decorating the 40 cakes that were secretly made while I was out yesterday! I was totally overwhelmed by the thought and love (and skill) that went into such a sweet gift just for me!

I love having my family all together in one place; it doesn't happen too often. I just wanted my birthday to be a simple affair, no big deal, no big surprises, (I'm a bit too control freak for that to happen!!) Just fun, happiness and togetherness. I wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and for it not to be all about me. I love my family with all my heart, and I love the joy that the children bring to our get togethers.
I had arranged a simple afternoon tea at a new garden nursery called Staverton Bridge Nursery. It is run by a really lovely young couple, who have put a HUGE amount of work into making a really pretty and tranquil place to visit, buy plants and of course have coffee and cake! All their cakes are made locally and I had ordered a big chocolate cake for us all to share. It was a simple do, and very special!

There were more cards to open.

Brotherly love............this makes me very happy! So glad Sam could make it!

My family were very generous with their presents, and knew exactly what I like! Such a lovely surprise!
Then of course was the cake.............

There's nothing like having a huge table to sit your whole family around!

I was very lucky to have such amazing weather on my birthday, but boy, was it hot! I would love to have stayed at the cafe a bit longer but I needed some shade, and the plan was to go for a walk by the river.
I knew that all the grown ups would walk along nattering and didn't want the children to feel fed up so I made a few plans for them to have their own fun along the way.......

I had made the girls a nature treasure hunt at the weekend and managed to keep it quiet until today....(I really enjoyed designing it and kinda wanted to show it off......but the surprise was best!)

I also gave the children some disposable cameras.....I shall look forward to seeing their artistic take of my birthday!

We all waved to everyone on the steam train, Railway children style!

It was lovely that my brother was able to take a little bit of time off work to join us. He is a rural estate manager and his knowledge of all things nature taught all of us new things. Now he is moving back to Devon, I am looking forward to him spending more time with me and the children......we have a lot to learn.....and I have a feeling there may be some Ray Mears style adventures in the planning!!

The children and I have walked by the river at Staverton many times but never gone as far as we did today. I knew from one of  the local Home ed groups about this place where you can paddle in the river, so my aim was to find it.....we did! And the cool water was a welcome relief! Had I known we could actually have swum here, I would have brought all our swim things, but a paddle sufficed and we shall definitely go again for a proper swim!

Prizes for the treasure hunters were gratefully received.......little chocolate bees and ladybirds!

Wish we could have stayed here longer too, but I knew I still had to manage the walk back. I gave the children some blowing bubbles,which worked as distraction from the disappointment at having to leave such a beautiful place.

We took a short break, whilst waiting for the others to catch up. It was early evening by now, but still VERY hot. I offered to cool William down with one of the ice packs from the cool bag.......

I can't thank ALL my family enough for making it my 'Perfect Day', together......

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven."  George Bernard Shaw.

So there you have it! 40 photos of  my 40th birthday. A happy, fulfilling, idyllic family day. Thank you to everyone for my cards, gifts and well wishes! A better birthday could not be had.
I look forward to watching this year unfold.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13 v 13.