Daisy Suzanne Allen

Born Sunday 6th March 2011

6th birthday

Her life:  4 to 4¼ years ♥ 4¼ to 4½ years ♥ 4½ to 4¾ years ♥ 4¾ to 5 years ♥ 5th birthday ♥ 5 to 5½ years ♥ 5½ to 6 years ♥ 6th birthday ♥ 6 to 6½ years ♥ 6½ to 7 years ♥ 7th birthday ♥ 7 to 7½ years ♥ 7½ to 8 years ♥ 8th birthday ♥ 8 to 8½ years ♥ 8½ to 9 years ♥ 9th birthday

In summary:  Index ♥ From birth to four years old ♥ Four years old to nine years old ♥ Nine years old onwards

Special features:  Golden Bear (reprise) ♥ More cookery

So it's time for some sixth birthday shenanigans, which actually started two days before her birthday, mostly because the big day itself was on a Monday, which Daisy would spend at school.  Consequently, we (OK, I) relaxed the rule about opening presents early, hence we have the standard birthday morning set-up, albeit a bit sparser than usual as we were saving plenty back.

Daisy was certainly very pleased with it all, giving us a big grin.

The big present of the morning was one of those that you think you will regret in time (although it hasn't quite proved to be the case): a karaoke party machine, which enables Daisy to sing along to her favourite CDs.

Her appreciation was committed to paper, as was her artist's impression of the morning.

Meanwhile, I used all my artistic skills to produce this.

The children prepared for the party with some classic chill-out tactics: TV and toast.

Soon the Allens et al arrived bearing more gifts...

...and those gifts were torn open with reckless abandon and much joy.

As Daisy stared intently at a new book, Gregory was on hand to read out the cards as best he could (i.e. by making up the contents since he could not read them).

The birthday girl seemed slightly shocked to be awarded a prize birthday badge.

For the obligatory spread, I had asked Daisy to provide the requests.  These included tomato pasta, onion ring crisps, sausages, chips, tiger bread, halloumi, egg mayonnaise and a cheese board, amongst other things.

Jonathan was hypnotised by the tiger bread, but then who wouldn't be.

Gregory was enjoying the karaoke machine and entertaining Matt and Nic with his amplified witterings.

Daisy's birthday cake was a shop-bought Shopkins special, decorated with jelly beans.  (For the uninitiated, Shopkins are the latest in the craze of collectibles, with each small character representing a household object or food item.  As soon as you see a long checklist you know you are in for the long haul.)

Meanwhile, Gregory continued to alternate between eating chocolate and smearing it on his face.

The next day, it was time for Daisy's other birthday party with all her friends invited, at Zoom, a play centre in Stockport.  (It shut not long after but I think has reopened as something else similar.)

Just in case you were wondering, this table is reserved for Daisy.  Party!

The star birthday girl was certainly excited waiting for her guests.

Meanwhile, Gregory entertained himself with the small slide, safely splashing down into the ball pool.

After plenty of soft play action, it was time to queue up for the birthday lunch.

It was time to dress Daisy up royally...

...although as the member of staff tied the royal robe, the tiara slipped...

...but finally it was all done and Daisy looked very pleased with things.

She looks even happier here as she occupies the gigantic birthday throne, with the array of food (featuring the usual sandwiches, crisps, etc) waiting to be attacked by the children.

Here is that cake a bit closer up, with the requisite six candles.  It might have been an owl.

Of course, the flash disguised the fact that they were all eating in semi-darkness.  You can just about make out young Gregory sat obediently next to Ellie.

As ever, following eating lots of food, it's time for some energetic games!  This might have been musical statues.

These girls seem very happy to sit on the bench, despite it perhaps featuring those who had been knocked out of the competition.

And this was probably a musical sit-down competition, although Harriet just appears to be legging it.  Not sure why.

After all that action, it was time for some frozen e-numbers in a cup, which was nicely shared with Daisy by the twins.

And then, for some reason, they opened up the steep slide and Daisy made her way up to the top.  Given that she isn't the most adventurous, this was somewhat of a surprise.  Fairly predictably, and perhaps wisely, she didn't go through with it.

We don't do things by halves and, in this case, we actually did things by, er, doubles, as everyone had two (TWO!) party bags.  I think one of the sets was pre-prepared by Lynne, whilst the others were provided by the venue.

After everyone had left, there was time for a quick go on one of the machines.

The major benefit, of course, for hosting a birthday party and inviting lots of friends is to get a shedload of presents.  Result!

Obviously any present that features Daisy's name is a big bonus...

...as is any hat which covers the entire face.

And the present opening continued, eagerly observed by Gregory.  Lynne dutifully noted down who got what for future reference.

Uncle Tom and Aunty Denise were round shortly afterwards - you can still see the present/card carnage to the right - and Uncle Tom was keen to play zooming cars with Gregory, to the young boy's delight.

One of the cards featured a pretty serious commitment question from her then boyfriend.  It perhaps needs a "(if you are not already married by that point)" after it, but we'll let that slide.

And we move to the day itself, unfortunately a Monday, the worst birthday day you can have (you inevitably have to suffer them every so often).  Nevertheless Daisy was delighted with the next wave of presents and Gregory was happy for her.

One of the presents was this delightful light-up crown.

All dressed, ready for school and birthday badged.

After school, I took the afternoon off and we went for an early tea to one of Daisy's favourite restaurants, Bella Italia.  She started with some manic garlic bread...

...followed by tomato pasta (obviously), albeit in slightly tricky-to-eat shapes...

...finished off with ice-cream from the ice-cream selection thing.

She then rushed off to Rainbows to complete an action-packed day and an exciting birthday weekend.  And our girl was now six.  Doesn't time fly, etc.  Her seventh year starts here.

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