Swedish visitors

We had a lovely fun-packed week with momma and moffa! They arrived from Sweden and took the direct train from Manchester airport to Sheffield and then a taxi to our house. We'd left a key out and I popped home at lunch time to welcome them! The day after they arrived was a wash out so they hung out at home with Vera and dad baked Vera's birthday cake number 1! On the Friday, which was Vera's birthday we all got up and woke Vera up by singing Happy Birthday and bringing a tray with a cupcake, orange juice (Vera's all time favourite up there with milk) and all her presents! She got lots of clothes, her playhouse from us, a hobby horse from Catrine & family, lots of beautiful clothes and toys from Ireland and lots more! I hope I haven't forgotten to mention anything - all gifts are so appreciated and she is and we know she is, a very lucky girl. As Anna wrote as a comment on Facebook, 3 is probably the first conscious birthday, and this has been the focus for such a long time for Vera! Both Mark and I had to work, but at 16:30 I dashed home, picked up everyone and met Mark at the restaurant Graze Inn on Ecclesall Road. It's a great place, where kids eat free before 7pm. Anyhow, we shared a mezze planner to start and dad got his Fish and Chips that he has to have when in the UK. We came home and ate Vera's strawberry and cream cake which was lovely! On the Saturday, it was full steam ahead in the Collins household, we had an electrician in, Mum, Dad, Vera and I went shopping and to the park, home for lunch and then I picked up Terese at Dore train station. Terese came up from London for the weekend, and as always it was lovely to see her! Dad baked birthday cake #2 and we had yummy homemade pizza for dinner, before mum and dad headed out for a show in town. On Sunday, which was the big party day, we cleaned and tidied, prepared food and were so lucky to get a sunny day! At 2pm the guests arrived. Vera had invited 5 guests, more than enough for a 3-year old. 3 from nursery and 2 other friends. They ran around in the garden, played in Vera's playhouse and with Vera's Peppa Pig balloons, which our lovely neighbours brought in for her! Then they had a picnic on the lawn with snacks including vegetable crudites, homous, cocktail sausages, popcorn etc. They ate more than I thought they would! Probably hungry after all that running around. Then we played Pass the parcel, followed by some dancing! Terese had found a toddler play list on Spotify and they all had such a blast running around and giggling. Then we ate the gorgeous Peppa Pig cake that my dad had baked and decorated - he's such a great baker! We finished off with fiskedamm, a traditional Swedish way of handing out the party bags. They kids loved it, but were a bit perplexed to get carrots and potatoes on their fishing rod! We also had to cater for the parents so we had set up a table with coffee, tea, ginger biscuits and "moccarutor", which they enjoyed! After the party, our lovely neighbours Ann and Godfrey (also Mr & Mrs Collins!) came over for coffee and cake and a chat and we finished the evening with a BBQ before Terese had to return to London. Such a perfect day and a memorable party for Vera! On mum and dad's last day, I took a half day off (I dont have a huge amount of holiday since starting my new job) and in the afternoon we went to Chatsworth House. It's a huge stately home with massive gardens, but we only went to the farm and playground where Vera had a ball on the very tall slide and the zip wire. As it was a Tuesday, during term time, the place was nearly empty, which is always a bonus. Then we drove through the beautiful Peaks to Castleton, where we had a nice pub meal before heading home. Such a lovely time and thank you for coming momma and moffa! Now we look forward to our visit to Ireland next week, to see our Irish family! A long time overdue.