Jack’s birthday pressie worship
Jack’s birthday proved a triumph, which was a relief given how hotly-anticipated the whole affair had been.
Having travelled down to grandma’s house for his actual birthday, we were particularly pleased to see that all of the toys we’d ordered online had arrived at their destination (grandma’s house) on time, and with all the parts.
On the day itself, Jack was ecstatic, filled with enough praise and superlatives to rival the most excitable of TV football pundits.
A lot of this – I’d like to think – was down to how we’d presented his gifts.
First off, we took the liberty of removing his Playmobil Jet Plane from the box and assembling it before wrapping, so the package had a distinctly ‘airplane’ appearance. This worked a treat, and it was the first thing he leapt upon as he emerged into the living room in the morning. When he’d finally unwrapped it he squealed with delight. “It’s my plane, oh I love it!” He then got down onto his knees and (I kid you not, I even have the video) gave it a little hug and a kiss.
I should explain that this is a plane he’d had his eyes on for months. A plane he’d earmarked his piggybank ‘savings’ for. Although we didn’t get round to buying a much-coveted Lego Fishing Boat on time, he was very impressed with a PlayMobil whale and conservationist boat he’d received from some close family friends.
When he’d finally unwrapped anything, he sat back in his pile of wrapping paper, surveying his haul of gifts and exclaimed “I’m just so happy mummy, thank you for all my presents.”
With my wife having excelled in her gift selection, I was pleased I wasn’t upstaged. My task had been a deceptively simple one. Having done so well with last year’s Octonauts-themed Kwazi cake, I was tasked with creating a playable Angry Birds cake.
Although my sponge was only about half the size as this one, my birds were perfect and Stone Henge-style collapsible towers impeccable. All such a shame it had to come down in such a short space of time, really.
