Perfect Birthday

Sometimes, despite the doubts and fears and the cynicism, things come off brilliantly and you can get a real sense of glee out of something that you were involved in, no matter how little your own contribution was.

My hat goes off to my wife who did a brilliant job of organising a joint beach party for Kai's second birthday. Despite looking like a raggle taggle bunch with bin bags full of plastic beach toys, suitcases full of food, which then doubled as tables, the kids' toys' time out boxes full of beer and ice and ice cream cake on order for delivery to 28 degree heat, the party was brilliant.

It was well attended, the weather was great - not too hot, the food was excellent and in the right amounts, we had enough booze, juices and biscuits and everyone seemed to have a great time. I did not get to speak to anyone for any length of time as I was busy running around serving and topping up champagne, running to a restaurant for a knife to cut the cake, stopping Sean and Hunter from drowning and generally having a good time, slightly buzzed on the champagne! The ice cream cakes arrived, duly intact and very cold and hard and did not even melt all that quickly! As far as I am aware no one drowned! People were fed and watered, the pinata was ripped open to spill out toys and sweets and cookies, the dozens of cheap plastic beach toys were used and taken away (although we do have about 20 rakes in a cupboard now!) and we all were tucked up in bed for a well-deserved nap before 2pm!

I am so proud of Eimhear and her skills in reading this one just right - 2 year olds on the beach need very little entertaining - the sourcing of the toys, food, drink and ice cream cake! She worked really hard and I am so happy it was a success. I never need reminding that I am a lucky man to be married to my wife, but I was reminded on Saturday how brilliant she is. I am still beaming from it. Kai too! Poor Sean can't contain himself for his birthday!