Gregory's 3rd birthday fell in the Easter school holidays and so I took the day off (it was a Tuesday). (It was also useful to be around after I had disappeared for the previous weekend for a stag do in Cologne - the first such of two scheduled for the year, unbelievably both in the same location .) Gregory came down to be greeted by a lot of presents (and balloons) in the main lounge, as is tradition.
Of course, when you have lots of exciting presents just waiting to be opened, the first thing you do is open the cards.
Eventually he did open some of his presents, as he is pointing out here.
Here is what the lucky birthday boy had received thus far.
One of the games he got into early on was the Dino Bite game, which was somewhat of a test of nerves. You have to reach in and get a small plastic object from under the leaf without disturbing the T-Rex whilst jungle sounds play in the background. If you do wake up the dinosaur, it lurches forward towards your stealing hand,
Our plan for the day, pending confirmation of not-awful weather, was to go to Tegg's Nose Country Park near Macclesfield. It was an eventful trip, though. Gregory is not a great traveller and started complaining of feeling poorly about 5 to 10 minutes away from the destination. Unfortunately, that was a few minutes too far and he was sick in the car. That necessitated pulling off at a roundabout, which turned out to be a McDonalds car park. We had *some* spare clothes for him, but not enough, so he had to wear Daisy's bright pink cardigan for the time being, as we changed him behind the car and wiped the inside of the car down as best we could.
There then followed a comedy moment as a member of staff brought out an order which he seemed convinced was ours (I was standing in front of the registration plate, which may have added to the confusion). The last thing I needed as I sorted out sick-covered clothing was a hamburger and fries to go. Luckily, we weren't too far away from a supermarket, so we headed back down the main road and waited in the car park while Lynne went in to get some emergency clothing. Eventually, we made it to the park where we went straight to the café to regroup, letting Gregory have some crisps and water as he was feeling a little under-nourished. Not the best start to a birthday...
We had climbed a fair bit by car to get here and it afforded us some splendid views, including this one of Jodrell Bank in the distance, about 10 miles west.
It was also just 168 miles to London Town. However, that was not that tempting given what we had been through to get here.
We were here to do the Easter Hunt, as this picture suggests...
...and so off we went on our way, with the weather holding, although it was a bit fresh all the way up here.
It offered some stunning scenery as we walked round...
...including some panoramic views. You can just about make out Gregory trundling ahead on the path in this photo.
There were some spectacular rock formations (which is not something I often say).
Young Gregory was happy to give a guided tour, even if he didn't know what he was showing us (nor did I, come to that).
I mean, just look at this contraption!
Gregory went into the little hut and emerged the king of all he surveyed.
Not sure what this was but the children paced around in different directions.
However, the main purpose of our trip was to find the clues around the trail, and this is what Gregory is doing here.
A splendid place for a bench, if only we were afforded time for a rest.
More stunning scenery. I fear that this page has moved away from its subject somewhat.
Ah there we go. The birthday boy with his dad (aka me, rarely featured on these pages).
This looks like a purposeful walk back to the café but in fact we had ambled slowly behind Lynne and Daisy, who by now were more or less there.
Just in case we weren't sure, the café was this way.
Of course, young G-man engaged in his usual strategy for spending the time waiting for his food: playing with his beloved cars. Note that this top was brand new today!
After the adventures of the day, we kept it simple for tea: takeaway pizza. We ordered way too much, but that gave us a meal the next day too (probably).
And then it was time for the obligatory birthday cake. (Not sure exactly what happened to the camera - it presumably hadn't been raining indoors.)
All in all, it looks like Gregory had had a smashing day, despite the mild travel issues.
On the following Good Friday, I popped to Tesco to do the weekend shop. I had got quite a lot in as we had a family birthday party planned for Gregory the next day. He was only too keen to help unpack, which I was only too happy to let him do (unless there was something fragile or heavy, that is).
He was also keen on helping me prepare some of the food, as is quite common these days. When I hear the slow scrape of the chair, I know that he is dragging it across the floor to offer himself a raised platform from which is culinary skills can be utilised. In this photo, he is marinating some chicken with tomato sauce and herbs.
The next day, in anticipation of a BBQ for the birthday party, we headed to the nearby B&Q to pick up charcoal. Whilst we were there, we stumbled across this little house. Perhaps next time, Gregory.
l
As we waited for the Allens to arrive, I was no doubt cleaning the BBQ and Gregory, having joined me outside, was scooting once more, this time at the forgotten side of the house.
Daisy had prepared a party poster for the big occasion. It was also Easter Saturday to give it an extra something to celebrate. Daisy had helpfully included the additional piece of information that they both had chicken pox ("pocks"), although by this point Daisy was more or less recovered, I think.
At 2pm, Aunty Katie (and others) arrived and young G-man was very pleased to see her.
There then followed the next wave of present opening, watched on by Daisy, no doubt a little disgruntled at it not being her birthday (although at least she would get some Easter gifts).
Gregory tucked into the presents with enthusiasm.
Uncle Matt had provided some unique, self-designed wrapping paper (inscribed with G-MAN) for his presents, watched on by Lynne and Jordan, who was wearing his birthday badge sticker with pride.
Matt wasn't just here for the birthday celebrations - he had some work to do!
But he was rewarded with a very large bag of pasta, as much for comedy value as anything else.
Nana Sue then got into playing toys with Gregory amidst his usual traffic jam. Gregory tends to pass over his new presents in the first instance, going back to his old familiar toys, such as his cars. Interesting to see the potty here. Gregory won't have used that for much longer.
I don't *think* we asked him to give us ten press-ups, but you never know.
As well as birthday presents, young Gregory had Easter gifts too, including a chocolate train.
As I prepared the barbecue, Gregory posed for Uncle Matt in the kitchen, with Matt getting the angle such that he appeared in the lenses.
The barbecue is aflame!
Before long, we of course covered it in food. Here we have tomato and garlic chicken, chicken tikka and potatoes.
Meanwhile, everyone inside tucked into what was available (mostly burgers by this point). Note that Jordan is still wearing his birthday sticker.
As the rain started to fall, Matt was there to help out.
More on the everyone helping themselves including Jordan (who is still wearing his sticker) situation.
With all this food on offer, it was perhaps time for Doctor Gregory to take some stethoscope readings.
Matt then started to take some photos of the kids, both looking quite cheery. Daisy's long-missing tooth has thankfully since grown back (well, the next one has come through) by the time of writing this (in the autumn).
A neat perspective shot. He's all head and not much body. It's a wonder he's able to support it.
A little later, he looks very happy with himself to be tucking into a plate of different berries.
In fact, I think he was happier with the fruit than he was with his multi-coloured birthday cake which was filled with a secret stash of smarties and toopped with jelly beans. I mean, you can have too much sugar.
That didn't
stop everyone getting stuck in of course.
We finish with a close-up of the two little ones, including the birthday boy himself (who admittedly doesn't look like he's having the best time here). I think his bowl is mostly fruit rather than cake, but that won't be the reason for the face. He was probably tiring fast.
And that's the end of his illness-affected 3rd birthday celebrations. Unfortunately, he never had a proper birthday party with his friends (if I remember correctly) due to the chicken pox, but he did have this fun barbecue party with his family, which is something.
At some point, the page for his fourth year will be set up. But that moment is not now.
Back to the Secret Portal.