It almost felt like from the day William turned four, he was talking about turning five. He's much more aware of what a birthday is now, and what it could possibly entail, and he also knows that his is at the end of the summer holidays, just before he goes back to school, so for the entire summer break, it felt like we were talking about it almost daily.
All he really talked about was seeing his friends, playing games and going to the special toy shop. (The toy shop is actually a model shop and we weren't sure it was actually going to be A: open, or B: suitable for a 5 year old, so we decided on a back up present of a Playmobil bus.)
By the time we were a couple of weeks out, my mind was full of potential ideas but the preferred choice of doing something really relaxed at the château park was ruled out the week before when Pau city council made it mandatory to wear masks in the centre ville. Iain and I decided that we would just bite the bullet and have a wee afternoon tea / party here. As it fell on a Wednesday, Iain would also be home in the afternoon to join in the fun.
I sent out some invites to his wee pals and we planned the food and the games. William told me exactly the order in which he wanted everything to happen: people arrive, we have a dance party, play games (pass the parcel, musical chairs, musical statues), blow out his candles and eat birthday cake, open presents, and give out party bags! William and I sat down one afternoon and curated all the music he wanted to play at the party. Every track was either suggested or approved by him and it's a hell of a playlist. From Daft Punk to the Doors, to Lizzo and Dwayne Johnson. I don't know if its straight out of a Richard Curtis movie or a gay nightclub. I'm very impressed. Anyway, the stage was set, the food was prepped and house was decorated with the appropriate level of bunting. All we needed was a five year old.
He was absolutely amped. He came through in the morning and got in with me for a big cuddle then was desperate to get down stairs and open the boxes that had arrived for him from the family via Amazon. It was like Christmas and he was so excited! Model plane, Duggee balancing game, lego, adventurer kit and an electric train. All the new toys also gave me a chance to make final preparations to the food I was doing.
Iain got home at lunchtime and we gave William our present - the Playmobil bus. We'd hummed and hawed over this (*no more big plastic toys*) but knowing how much he enjoys the Playmobil at Arthur's I thought he'd like something from this brand. Iain chose the bus. We got it absolutely on point. He loves it. Hasn't put it down. (Ended up crying during the party as we asked him to put it away while everyone was here!) After lunch, as promised, we went round to the expensive toy shop and, as expected, it wasn't really suitable for a five year old. Fortunately there was another (traditional) toy shop just down the street so we took him in there and he got to choose another toy. It was hardly a surprise that he opted for another vehicle - this time a wind up VW camper van. Loves it.
We came home about 2.45pm and at 3pm, everyone started to arrive. We had Arthur, Liana, Amélie and Luca (and Gideon came after summer club at the centre loisir). It was two hours of sugar fuelled madness. We pretty much followed the format William wanted but added a few extra surprise games in like Balloon Pop, and a piñata. It was mayhem! While all the kids were getting high on sugar we also plied the adults with plenty of rosé and beer so everyone seemed happy. William received lots of gifts - we could hardly keep up! More lego, playmobil, jigsaw, spinning top thing, aeroplane, bug catcher... He's a very lucky wee boy. People headed off just after 5pm and Sandra nipped round to collect Giddy then brought him round for a wee play and some cake. It was a shame he missed out on the party but good that him and William still got a play together. The house was like a bomb site and William had had a great day - exactly how it should be after a birthday party!
I knocked together a quick easy dinner for us all and while Iain got William up the stairs and ready for bed, I was cleaning up in the kitchen listening to Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2. She does this segment called "Service Award" and I chanced my arm by dropping her a quick email. You never ever think that your story will make it through so you can imagine my utter astonishment when I suddenly heard this:
What a really beautiful way to round off a great day. Not a dry eye in the house!
LM :)
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