Thursday, March 14, 2013

Big birthday bird love


My big boy turned seven last week. Seven seems like a milestone of some sort, as if he has mastered this boy-hood caper and for the first time I am seeing glimpses of the man he will grow into. He has one massive front tooth and an equally massive gap next to it.  His shoulders are getting broader from swimming laps after school and for the first time in his life he needs a shirt size larger than his age.

In the last year he has gone up twenty reading levels and when I tuck him into bed late at night sometimes he is curled up next to a book and a torch. (Mostly, it would be the Lego ideas book which is not what I would describe as cuddly). He is absolutely quirky, but with some sort of bonus magnetic charisma.  He stands out, but so far he has no idea and consequently does not care one jot. I am curious as to when peer pressure will catch up with him, hopefully we have a few more years.

He has been wearing his white ankle school socks pulled right up to his knees for two years.  Recently I made the discovery that at least one of his friends is now adamant about wearing his socks this exact same way. More shocking was the discovery that the other school mums thought I was making him do it!


He has friends, real friends who he disappears into the school rainforest with, to build humpees and fairy gardens and to look for creatures.  He has found his tribe and we are grateful, so, so grateful for this little group of mates who share a love of science and nature but who also tolerate some less than tactful commentary on how they could do their work better. We loved filling our yard with an inflatable plastic structure so that the tribe could all come over and celebrate a bird inspired birthday.



We did manage to follow his party suggestion list quite well, there was a pass the parcel, musical chairs, a scavenger hunt, hosing on giant slide, sausages and chit chat for the mums. And the best part of his day? That Rainbow lorikeet cake. His love of birds, particularly lorikeets and other colourful birds, has endured for the last few years. He loves colourful fish and rainbow colour schemes with the same passion. Like me, it's all about the colour.   Presents were easy, Bird badges, Bird Bingo, a rainbow clock, and another Usborne factual flap book to add to his collection and of course some lego.




And the gift that almost made him faint with excitement? Well that would be this framed bird teatowel that I found for half price at the WAC. Although I am secretly hoping he grows out of it so I can have it back.



We love you Roboboy, with your terrible knock knock jokes, cold spoon tricks, cheeky smile, complete inability to lie, and resolute commitment to being your own quirky self, even when it results in dire humiliation for your mother. It has only taken seven years, but  I have almost forgiven you for getting me out of bed at 430 am for the first three years of your life. 


21 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to you son, looks fab!
    We have sock issues too....in fact issues with all items of clothing....it's a shame we don't live in a nudist colony, life would be a whole lot easier! :) x

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  2. What a wonderful cake that is, one of the best I've ever seen! Happy birthday to your son, looks like he had a great day.

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  3. OMG Mel that cake is AMAZING!!!! You totally "take the cake" at making cakes :) And super happy birthday to your awesome 7 year old Roboboy. He is a total charmer, and I too look forward to seeing the man he grows up to be! Love, M xxx

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  4. What a wonderful cake for your son!! Happy birthday to him! We had a parrot when I was a girl. He loved talking to us and having his head scratched.

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  5. Such a nice post! Your love for your boy just shines, no BEAMS, through this post. Happy birthday to you son, I think he sounds ace.

    And that cake!! It's seriously brilliant, I love it. Good job. :-)

    Gillian x

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  6. Happy Happy Birthday to Robo Boy! That is is so amazing Mel. It feels like a huge wait off your shoulders when you know they have great friends and are liked and happy, huh? Have a great weekend Mel xo

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  7. What beautiful words for your boy. Best wishes to him. Growing so quickly! x

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  8. I've said it before Mel, but that boyo of you sounds pre-tty cool (I know there's been challenges, but all the worthwhile stuff in life involves that, right...) His cake was amazing, you are a birthday cake making superstar!
    I love his t.t. and would like to send him a couple more of the birdy variety to add to his collection. Please send me your address and I'll pop them in the post.

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  9. Happy Birthday to the marvellous Roboboy. Love the cake and the birds. I am obsessed with birds too (maybe not quite as much as he is...;)) and am sitting here typing this in PJs with a floral pattern with tiny little birds hiding in it.

    Hope all goes well for you all in the next few years - the sock story made me laugh.....

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  10. That cake is magnificent! And .... that framed teatowel was mine. That was my friend Julie and my space at the Antique centre. I had intended to paint the frame white. Gorgeous isn't it. Thrilled it's gone to a great home.xo

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  11. what an awesome cake for your awesome boy and I love that you stayed true to his bday list right down to the chit chat for the parents. Happy birthday to your big little man. Bless his (long up to the knee) cotton socks x

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  12. Happy Birthday Roboboy ... what a trend setter with the sock fashion. Well done Mel on the beautiful bird cake.

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  13. amazing cake. I may have to plagarise it, as I have a 7th birthday coming up ( with your permission, of course!!). Looks like a perfect day. bet you were tired after!

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  14. That cake is a work of art. You are a creative mum.
    Love the bird badges. I have the first finch one. I've had it since i was little.
    x

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  15. that cake!!!. happy birthday roboboy....your a superstar!
    looks like the dream party....seriously mel that cake is fantastic!..xx

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  16. Happy birthday!

    That cake is truly amazing! A work of art!
    And speaking of art, that tea towel is perfect...what a great find!

    You must be so proud of him...and I hope of yourself for raising him!

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  17. Woah! When the bird came in my reading list I didn't realise it was a cake. That's fantastic!

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  18. Mel that cake is awesome. You are so clever. It looks like a great birthday for your boy with a great deal of thought and sentiment beautiful mama.

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  19. You are a kitchen designer, cake making, party throwing extraordinaire! (I guess the pre-made itinerary helped out.) xx

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  20. Such a beautiful Post Mel! Happy Birthday to your gorgeous man. Love his cake and all of his presents. You are so creative. Had to laugh at the sock thing, one of mine wears his socks like this and I've never said a word to him about it but after reading this maybe I need to make it clear to the other Mums that it is all his idea! Mel x

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  21. Awesome cake Mel and looks like Roboboy had a wonderful birthday. Liongirl looks as though it was her birthday,ha. Glad to hear he has found a good group of mates, makes all the difference doesn't it?

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