4th Birthday Celebrations!

It's officially Bethany's 4th Birthday on the 22nd December, but this year we decided to move it to a week earlier. We found that last year there was all just too much confusion between her Birthday and Christmas and that she didn't really get to appreciate her Birthday for what it was.

We had a fantastic day, really we did. Magical in so many ways. The day started with a 6.02am wake up call from Bethany in her room shouting 'but I want to be 4!' so that was it. We jumped up and piled upstairs where Bethany was greeted with a massive amount of presents from some very generous friends and family back home. We thank you so very much.

Skype was on and we spoke with Grandma and Grandad Lee and Grandma Dawes, later followed by Grandad Dawes. They got to watch Bethany open a few pressies and wish her Happy Birthday. It was a lovely time, but a difficult one all the same, with heartbreak we miss them so much.

Soon after we headed onto the deck where we set free a balloon for Bethany's 4th Birthday with a note attached, hoping someone will find it. We wonder where it will end up, pity on the Northerly winds as we are hoping it reaches somewhere else than the ocean!

After the excitement of the morning we headed off to Te Papa where Bethany's Birthday party was to be held. A magical world of Under The Sea in Story Place unfolded for 16 of her closest buddies. They listened to magical stories, played in magical lands and had the most magical time.



I was blessed with the help from my two amazing friends. Monique arrived in full party attire and did the most fantastic face painting for the children, and Catherine did the professional photos for the day, I cannot tell you how much I value and love these two amazing friends.

The photos I have added to the blog are my own and no where near the ones Catherine will have done so as soon as I get them back I will add them!!

With the Story Place session over we headed downstairs to have some yummy food. Earlier we set up some helium balloons and decorated the table, and as the children poured in the enthusiasm shone through - amazing what a few balloons can do!!

It all went well and the children seemed to enjoy themselves. Bethany was overwhelmed by the amount of beautiful presents she got from her friends, they were all so generous.

We planned so much for the afternoon which included meeting some friends for Christmas in the Park but we decided against it after Bethany fell asleep for nearly 3 hours and then woke naturally wanting to play with her new toys. With the sun beating down at 25 degrees we thought best to stay at home too! Bethany was treated as a princess - and rightly so...

An amazing day, and wow our 'little girl' is 4. I cannot imagine for one minute what her future would have been or what we would have been doing in the UK.

It's an interesting one to imagine what route our life would have taken and what would have become, but right now despite the pain from missing our loved ones so very much, we really wouldn't change a thing.

Our little girl, a kiwi...