The rules are simple:

• When it’s your turn, you pick the time and place.
• The birthday girl books it in and then lets the group know the details.
• Presents are a no no.
• Everyone else pays for your meal!

My little sister and I are lucky enough to be included in this exclusive group that celebrated Jenny’s birthday last week by having high tea.   The service was great, high tea was simply delicious and, as always, the company was just lovely!

Since moving back to QLD, Jenny’s birthday is the first of these Birthday Deal’s I’ve attended.  The verdict so far:  the Birthday Deal is good!  Can’t wait for Kay’s and my birthdays in April to roll around!!!

Yesterday afternoon we had our three bestest NSW families over for afternoon tea, to sing Reuben Happy Birthday and to cut his cake.

those eyes...

He has brought all three of us much joy and laughter and amazement, especially Owen.  Reuben’s big brother is the light of his life.  And Owen is more than happy for things to be this way :)

Reuben has brought a completely different dynamic to our family.  He is so like Owen in many ways, yet so very much is own little person too.  And is not afraid to share his views with anyone who will listen!  This is one kid who is also not afraid to tell the world he’s not happy about something, but is also more than happy shout out about all the things that make him happy too.   He is honing his tantrum throwing skills down to a fine art…!

Bumblebee!

Just over the last week or so, he’s been calling DA! DA! DA! while staring his father down (which he does uncannily well…) until Marc acknowledges that fact the Reuben is trying to get his attention.  Being able to “talk” seems to be much more important to Reuben than, say, walking… The complete opposite of Owen’s developmental goals at the tender age of one!!!

Playing with his new garage, tug boat and cars

He has, however the same love for all things with wheels, just as his big brother does.  Combine that with their love of building then knocking things down, and their same sense of humour, enjoying egging each other on already, and you have a two little boys who seem very happy with their lot.

Staring the camera down!

I love listening to them in the car – they crack each other up over the silliest of things, like clicking tongues at each other and then launching into fits of giggles.  Makes everyone else in the car laugh along with them as well.  No car ride is quiet and dull with these two!

And Reuben will listen very intently, while Owen enthusiastically explains the intricacies of some foreign object, such as Ben 10’s watch and why it does what it does.  He is also a little more of an observer than his dare devil older brother.  More cautious?  Perhaps… But only until he figures out exactly what it is that is going on, and how he can possibly add to the havoc!!!

Owen plays with Spiderman, Reuben takes it all in from the sidelines

So, happy birthday to our littlest boy.

We hope you have enjoyed the last year with this family of yours!

We can’t wait to see what the next twelve months will bring.

Since then he’s always given us plenty of joy and amazement.  For anything physical he’s always been way ahead of what anybody expected.  Riding a five year olds scooter at 2, skateboards, bikes you name it.  Even trying to bowl leg spin to me while he was still two.

We couldn’t be prouder of O, particularly the way he plays with and looks after Reuben.  It will be great as they get older as it looks like they are going to be best friends.

So Happy Birthday Owen.  And thanks for the presents from everyone.  There was enough presents for him to open to last all year!  Reuben had a blast with all the wrapping paper as well!

And here is the letter, a little closer so you can read it…

I’m sure we will make good use of all the party gear while Jenny and Nana are visiting.

Thanks heaps Auntie Jode!

(And Uncle Mick and Cooper too!!!)

]]> http://www.harveysathome.com/2009/06/a-pre-party-package/feed/ 3 http://www.harveysathome.com/2009/04/the-big-birthday/ http://www.harveysathome.com/2009/04/the-big-birthday/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:45:34 +0000 Meegan http://www.harveysathome.com/?p=1612

Banner made by Karla Mac, just for me!

Yesterday I turned 30!

So, now I am officially classed as “old” around here – a title Marc has held all on his own for the last 13 months, give or take, and one which I’m sure he’s glad to finally share ;o)

And since I am now so very old, of course we couldn’t go out for dinner – no no no!!!  All this birthday girl wanted to do was order take out, hang out at home in her jammies, watch Spicks and Specks and play Scrabble!!!
Not so unlike how I spent my birthday evening last year, just minus the favourable company!

I did however, get to go out for morning tea to a little place called Geranium Cottage with a couple of my new found NSW friends (plus children) and play ladies for a few hours. It was lovely, definitely a place to go back to for their very yummy scones someday!

And I was very spoilt this year – the postman must be sick of having to deliver so many packages to our house!

Thank you to everyone who called, posted, emailed, SMS’d, Skyped and left me messages on FB!

Since I wasn’t in Brisbane to go out for coffee with the ladies (and Cooper too!), this is what they got up to on my birthday morning…

I also missed out on a hot lunch at Mum and Dad’s, but Jodie was thinking of me…

Thanks Jode :o)

Photo taken by Owen

Today is Marc’s 31st birthday – he’s really old now ;0)

What have we got planned for the birthday boy today?  Absolutely nothing – exactly what he wanted!

His birthday isn’t going completely uncelebrated though, we did venture out last night with Laura, Brett and Belle for dinner at Gourmet Pizza Kitchen and dessert at the Coffee Club.  Great company and awesome pizza!

This one is four weeks old today…

~~~

And this one (Jode, not Mum!) is twenty-seven today!

Happy Birthday to you, Little Sister :o)