That lie in I mentioned? No chance. 6:30am we were awake. I took Penny downstairs at around 7ish for her breakfast to give Melissa a bit of a lie in. But in her birthday excitement she was up and at them (us) about 20 minutes later.
She opened her presents and cards (Penny helped) and then I cooked an ace breakfast of eggy bread and strong coffee.
Once that was out the way Melissa and Penny had a nap. Penny was more reluctant to doze off than Melissa, but in the end we got about 90 minutes out of her. Then once they were up and we were all ready we headed out to Liverpool for some birthday shopping and a lunch.
Penny seemed a lot more hyperactive than usual but we thought nothing of it. She was great fun. Very shouty and runny and screamy but, you know, fun. She ate her lunch like a good girl (Gourmet Burger Kitchen. If you haven't been, go) then we headed to Melissa's mums to say hello.
Emma, Stu and Harry came for a visit. Penny seemed markedly calmer. She'd slept in the car on the way to Melissa's mums, but as soon as we stopped she pinged awake. Usually she'll sleep a bit longer, and then sort of groggily wake up, dazed and confused.
We weren't going to but we stayed for tea. Penny ate well, again, then we went to The Stanley for a birthday drink. Penny was much calmer by the end of the evening, and was content to empty crayons all over the carpet, then put them back in the bowl, over and over and over.
We got home just after 7pm and the reason for her mania became clear. The pyjamams she'd been wearing this morning were covered in coffee. Evidently she'd found a near-empty cup of coffe, swigged the cold dregs and gone ballistic. Never again.
She's asleep now, thankfully. Melissa and I are going to watch The Following as everyone's raving about it.
Happy birthday Melissa. Thank you for putting up with me. I love you loads. Enjoy these next 12 months. You'll be 30 this time next year. It's all downhill from there xx
See you tomorrow!
