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My crazy, funny, (usually) incredibly sweet boy turned 9 today. He was incredibly excited to receive a plastic flintlock pistol, a viking shield, some fossils and a couple of solid gold (maybe) necklaces. I don't know if he will grow up to be an archaeologist, a pirate or a pimp (or the job that combines all three- a comedian), but it was lovely to see him so thrilled. It is rare as an adult that you squeal with joy when opening a present. That's a shame.
His sister had made him a cake (to his own specifications) that said "King Ernie" and at his party yesterday he fulfilled his ambition to have a plate full of whipped cream pushed into his face.... oh God, there's no way he's not going to be a comedian. We have spawned a monster.
As usual time plays its tricks. How did he get to 9 so quickly and why does his birth feel like 50 years ago.
Nice to have the reflections of the blog from that day to look back on though. I have forgotten so much of the last decade, gone in a blur of parenting mixed with the cognitive decline of a man in his fifties. What a delight to have this ridiculous record of the last (almost 24 years). I recommend it. Though you possibly need to have a very specific mindset to do it every day.
We had his party yesterday and booked the Supreme Party Gaming Van
https://supremepartygamingvan.co.uk/gaming-van-hertfordshire/ which was a huge hit with Ernie and his friends and the guys running it were fantastic. If you want a party where the kids are occupied and you can talk to the other parents in peace then I highly recommend these guys. I have not been paid for this recommendation - quite the opposite, but worth every penny. We didn't buy Ernie the VR helmet that he wants, but he did get to have a go on one in the van. So another dream partly fulfilled.
When your dreams are to be custard-pied and own a necklace and a shield, your dreams can come true.
What we need is some kind of Virtual reality VR helmet which you put on and it makes you think you're wearing a VR helmet.
I'd like to pretend that I'd like a VR helmet that could help me escape from the rigours of parenting, but I actually wish I had one where I could relive the last decade and a bit and revisit the kids they once were, but won't be again. All I have is my blog and my phone shooting me photos from this day over the years. My imagination isn't up to recreating actual images of course so that's not quite enough. Maybe one day we can pick a date and revisit it in virtual reality and be able to enjoy it without the cloak of exhaustion and stress. I don't think I want to relive either of the births again, but that detail in the blog about smelling your newly born baby's head - would love to go back to that.
But if you turn up at maternity wards and ask to sniff babies' heads then you are given very short shrift, as I have found out to my cost.
Happy Birthday Ernie. I can't tell you how much I love you and your sister, but maybe one day you'll read this and understand.
Watch Andrew Mountbattenburg-Legoland-Windsor-Davies do a uncanny impression of himself in
today's Newsround. Also includes some Ziggy by order of the executives at SPC1.
