43 (I think!)

Today started ever so quietly and secretly at 1am when the girls woke themselves up, crept out of bed and decorated with balloons, flowers and a birthday banner and stealthily returned to bed. Later, they completed their school work with no complaints and were finished by 9am with a whole day of freedom ahead. What lovely birthday surprises. They even ventured beyond the garden boundaries in search of crickets, giving me a little time alone. Though they returned half an hour late and with no pet crickets, I was excited that they had bravely walked the length of a few fields with out me. To make amends for loosing track of time they presented me with a beautiful bouquet of wild flowers and grasses. Late for tea, we swiftly walked across the valley to my parent’s house. My Mum had set out her pretty teacups and saucers and tiny silver teaspoons and we enjoyed triangular sandwiches, chocolate biscuits, cake and tea. It was an unexpectedly delightful day.