Five candles

A nice low key family birthday for Conor today. We lounged all morning, had a hastily organised birthday lunch (wotsits, token carrot sticks, iced party biscuits) with a cake inspired by Northern, though with chocolate mini-rolls (thanks again Northern). A proper cake - though probably one cooked by Costco since they make them so yummy - will follow on Thursday at the mad kids' party.

Lovely present opening after lunch - everyone bought such thoughtful things for him, which must be a bit of a struggle so close to Christmas. We got him a mini-Scalextric which provided endless car-flying-off-the-track amusement, though it wasn't long before the kids were using it to devise disaster movie scenarios involving all the new dinosaurs.

The kids took Mr B out for a wild and windy walk, while I did my bi-annual penance in the shower and scrubbed all the grout with a toothbrush. Hope I have a clean toothbrush somewhere.

Slightly odd moment at bedtime. I'd just left Conor's room and as usual he called out:

"See you in the morning".

And then, alarmingly added:

"I hope... If you don't die in the night."

Hmmm. I'll be sleeping with one eye open tonight.