I have an 11 year old!

Where do I even begin? Lol.

Faith woke up at 5.30am on her birthday after going to bed at 11:45pm (due to all the excitement).

This year her birthday fell on a Wednesday, which is the same day she was born on. Wednesday 18th April 2007. I literally remember it like it was yesterday.

Usually I’m a proper emotional wreck when it comes to birthdays, but this year I was cool as a cucumber. I think it’s because I’m finally accepting that she is growing up, so rather than being depressed that my first born is growing older, I was actually willing to embrace her turning 11, without clinging on to the past!

How weird though? I’m 26 years old, with an 11 year old daughter! Crazy.

Anyway, birthday’s are a very big deal in our house. I wanted Faith to enjoy her day and feel special. Every year I worry that what I’ve planned might not be good enough, even though she always enjoys herself! I guess as a parent, you always want to go above and beyond for your kids, when in reality it doesn’t necessarily take a lot.

My main mission for the day was simply to make Faith happy. Plus run about 6,234,224 errands.

So the day started off rather busy. I was rushing around doing last minute bits for Faith’s birthday. Like buying more presents, buying balloons, getting balloons blown up, food shopping for her birthday dinner and snacks, plus getting the house ready. I was limited for time as I had to collect Faith and her friends from School, so by the time I had got started, I had only 3 hours in which to complete my to-do-list.

Did I mention that I had to do it with my nearly 2 year old toddler, in 25 degree weather wearing all black (my “running errands” attire). Sweating much?!

That morning Faith tried to wake me up at 6:30am. My response “Happy Birthday sweetheart, but I need another 30 minutes.” I know right, Mum of the year . I just couldn’t physically move. I had been surviving on 3 hours sleep a night in the week leading up to her birthday, so it was a no from me. I heard her sigh and then quietly close the door.

7am came and she was back. Tate and I got up and made our way downstairs.

I had promised Faith that she could open a present in the morning before School, then the rest after School.

There was no surprise with this gift. She had been there when I bought it as she had needed to try it on.

Originally Faith had asked for a pair of Air Max 95’s (trainers) in Khaki green. When she had showed me the trainers, I legit wanted to cry.

Why I hear you ask?! Because they cost £120.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY POUNDS for these (see picture below) . When the hell did kids trainers get so bloody expensive?

Now, I’ve never been one to really buy her trainers, however she’s growing up and in recent months it’s all been about having the latest trainers.

I had asked her a few weeks before how much she had wanted the trainers, to which she replied “more than anything else in the world.” To me it seemed pretty pointless. She was already getting a pair of TN’s (another pair of ugly trainers) from her Dad, so I wanted to get something different. However, Faith was ADAMANT. Plus, I remember being that age and wanting to keep up with the trends.

In the weeks leading up to her birthday, she couldn’t stop talking about these trainers. Reluctantly, I agreed to buying them. Footlocker had them online for £90, so 30 quid cheaper, but I wasn’t ecstatic about it. I just didn't think they were worth all that money to b quite honest with you! They're not that nice - in my opinion.

*

Faith kept asking me if I had ordered the trainers (which I hadn’t, as I had to see the khaki mess in person). She was getting rather aggy with me about the whole situation as she felt I was leaving it too late and so desperately wanted them.

The week before her birthday I went into Bromley Town Centre to do some shopping, taking the kids and my niece with me. My plan was to take her in store and get her to try them on to see if she still liked them in person before I could part with 6 scores as I told her she had to try them on before I ordered them.

Faith knew I was hoping to change her mind, but she was convinced she would still love them.

We went into a couple of trainers stores and they didn’t have them. At this point I’m smiling (lol- I’m so mean), but Faith was rather annoyed. So the last shop we tried was Footlocker. Lo-and-behold they bloody had them. Faith screamed for joy as she ran toward the trainer and found the nearest staff member to assist her with getting her size.

As we were waiting for the complete pair to come from the stockroom, I was frantically chasing Tate around the store as he decided he had, had enough of sitting in the buggy.

He darted right out of the store as the guy returned with the pair, so I had to chase him. I caught him about 3 shops down and he decided to have a meltdown, throwing himself on the floor. “NO MUMMY, I DONT WANT IT” - meaning; I don’t want to go back into the shop. So a fireman’s lift it was.

As I returned to the store, Faith’s expression was not what I had expected.

“What’s wrong Faith?!” I said as I looked down at her feet?

“They look ugly on my feet. They’re too wide” Faith replied.

I’m not going to lie. I was fuming but also pleased at the same time.

This child of mine had been BEGGING me to buy them online, but she tried them on and HATED them. Imagine if I had actually ordered them on request?!

At the same time, I was also happy as I felt she could have nicer trainers for the money.

“Why don’t you try on the Air Max 97’s?” I suggested.

“ I don’t like them. They’re ugly, I would never get those” she retorted.

In my mind I agreed, but they were about 12% better looking than the Air Max 95’s, so I pushed her to try them on.

15 minutes later after trying on other various trainers and not liking them I felt the frustration Ryan

Gosling felt in the film " The Notebook"

The staff member returns with the Air Max 97’s this time.

Faith had a face on like a slapped arse. So in my head I’m like ffs child. Just put them on.

She slipped her feet into them and her whole attitude did a 180.

“I LOVE THEM” she squealed, twirling and dancing around the shop, whilst also repeatedly looking down at her feet and then in the mirror.

We got to the till to pay for the trainers. Faith stupidly said “I don’t even think I liked the Air Max 95’s anyway” (the first pair she had tried on). If looks could kill, she would have been on the floor.

The Footlocker staff member interrupted us “that’s £95 please” MATE.

If I had bothered looking at the price, I would have encouraged her to try on a £40 pair! Her feet grow like every month, plus Faith does not look after anything properly, let alone a pair of nearly £100 trainers. #MumFail.

Now I know I sound like a proper cheapskate right now, but we all know what children are like when it comes to looking after things. Also, if the trainers were actually half decent, I wouldn’t have minded!

I would rather have bought her loads of clothes and nice cute things for her room, but it’s not about me! It was Faith’s birthday and about what she wanted, as much as I disagreed!

The things we do for our kids ay?!

***

So back to her birthday morning.

Faith was running around with her uniform on and her new trainers on. Still delighted.

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least she hadn’t changed her mind.

Off to School she went and I went about my errands.

I was frantically rushing around the shops then had to go and collect one of my sister’s and her son as she was coming along to celebrate Faith’s birthday with us. I asked her to borrow a white tablecloth as I decorate the table every year for Faith’s birthday with balloons and all her favourite snacks. My sister actually has her own events decor business, so I knew she would be perfect for the job.

I should probably mention at this point, that the original birthday plan was actually for Faith to have a sleepover on the weekend with 2/3 friends. Then the following day, her Dad & I were going to take a group of girls to Guildford Spectrum for ice skating then lunch after. HOWEVER, I cancelled the fun weekend.

Why? Because my daughter is a cheeky pre teen who literally made me completely lose the plot about 3 weeks before her birthday.

Not sure I’m ready to talk about it yet, so maybe I will save it for my next post. Lol. Remind me!

I had also invited a couple of Faith’s friends and family to the house. I had ordered a bespoke Oreo cake for Faith, as she loves that via my beloved cake lady. She had done Faith’s Cake the year before. See picture below.

So the plan was to just have a small, quiet gathering.

***

I turned up to the School with a bouquet of flowers as I do every year. Handed them to Faith and collected both her friends.

I should point out that all the girls are taller than me now...-so weird!

As we got into the car, I explained to Faith and the girls that I wasn’t able to decorate the table and unable to buy the rest of her presents (the table had been done by my sister and I had purchased the rest of her presents. It was all a part of the plan, which btw I literally do every year and she falls for it every time ).

I could see Faith was disappointed, but she actually just said “that’s ok Mum, I’m just so glad my friends are here” - bless her .

We pulled up to the house and I asked the girls to go upstairs and change out of their uniform. It was such a beautiful day!

I ran into the front room to check if Tate and my nephew had just ruined the room, but no.

Now to my amazement, my sister had transformed the room and table. Before I had left to collect the girls, the boys ( aged 1 &2) had pulled all the toys out, spilt water everywhere and there was a mess from where I had been wrapping up Faith’s presents and where my sister had been setting up.

I had asked my sister if she could tidy and sweep up on the 25 minutes I would be gone. However, I didn’t believe it to be possible as I know what the boys are like. She casually agreed in her usual laid back manner, but I was sceptical, so thought I would quickly do it once I got back.

So when I arrived back, I was blown away by what all she had managed to do - with both the boys. I also remembered that I had only asked her to borrow a tablecloth, we had bought balloons, but she made the cutest little set-up!

I called Faith & the girls downstairs so we could start with the celebrations and once she walked into the living room, her reaction was priceless.

Over the next couple of hours more friends and family arrived to celebrate Faith’s birthday with us. Faith opened the rest of her presents and squealed with delight. I was overjoyed as I could see Faith was having the time of her life.

I cooked Fajita’s for everyone as per Faith’s request and we all ate to our hearts content.

As per every celebration we have, there was the standard dance session as we entered into the evening. The girls had gone upstairs to make up a dance to “Freaky Friday” by Chris Brown and lil dicky - I know, what a name. Imagine listening to your child saying it #AwkwardMuch? Or maybe I’m just immature. lol.

While the girls were upstairs making up their dance, all of us (the “responsible” adults) were busy singing (at the top of our lungs - my poor neighbours) and dancing along to some old 90’s hits such as “Pray” by Take That, “Don’t Speak” - No Doubt and Cotton Eye Joe. Haha. Faith later told me that her and her friends secretly snuck downstairs to film our whaling and dancing around!

The girls came down minutes later to perform their dance routine and I LOVED it so much, I made them perform it 3 times . At this point it was 7:45pm. I was supposed to drop the friends home for 8pm, but I could see that was not going to happen. So I texted both Mum’s explaining that we were having too much fun to leave and asked if could I drop the girls a bit later. Thankfully, both Mum’s were absolutely fine with it and were happy to make the exception for Faith’s birthday.

Eventually it turned into a dance battle with the children vs adults, loud music and fun. We were all cheering and whooping and literally having the best night. What was supposed to be a quiet little get together, turned into a full blown impromptu party/turn up/lituation (a litty situation).

So we continued the party till 10pm. Not even a joke. 10pm on a Wednesday/School night!!! If I hadn’t put a stop to it, those girls would have gone on all night!

Obvs I kept the parents updated, but what a night! Faith didn’t want it to end and funnily enough neither did I!

We did the rounds dropping her friends, then on the way home, I suggested we play some relaxing music to wind down.

Faith declined. She said she was on such a high, she didn’t want the day or her mood to ever end.

By the time we arrived home it was coming up to 11. We both slumped into the sofa.

Faith turned to me and said “Mum, this was one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had! Thank you soOoOo much for everything! I don’t want the day to end!”

Mission accomplished <3