Happy Birthday Steph

We can't be with you today, but I loved the opportunity to spend the weekend in Manchester with the family, and look after the boys on Sunday so you and Gaz could go to London [not that I will ever understand why you both enjoy American Football so much] I really enjoyed watching you make salt dough decorations with George and Jacob on Saturday - remembering 35 years ago doing the same with you and Liz.  But then you told the boys that Grandma would help with the painting on Sunday!

I was grateful for the easyclean Totter+Tumble mat, but the boys were very careful and kept the floor, and their fingers, paint free

Having painted them, we then created some birthday bunting, and made a birthday card.

George told me that the other week they went somewhere and had cookies decorated with Smarties. "Mine had 5, and Jacob's had 3, so Mummy said her birthday cake should have 41 Smarties. Please can we make one for her?"

How could I refuse? So we went for a walk and got a cake and mini Smarties in Tesco. We counted out 41, and pushed them into the icing [using lengths of drinking straw because it was more hygienic than using our fingers!

And we enjoyed refreshments in the Chorlton TeaHive, where the staff are always friendly, and they have a stack of children's books to read.

I am sure that Gaz, George and Jacob will make your birthday really special. You're a great Mum, and a good friend.. Looking forward to seeing you at Christmas.  

God bless you today and always, Steph 💝