It was my birthday last week and I had such a great time! I can't believe the love and effort my friends and family put into the celebrations they held for me and the gifts and cards they gave me.
On my actual birthday morning I woke up and went downstairs to find the breakfast-bar in the kitchen covered in pink heart post-it notes with wonderful words written on them. Everyone had written what they loved about me or a little memory they had of me - it was such a surprise and I've kept them all as keepsakes!
Andy had got me my favourite ever chocolate cake from a little local farm that I constantly obsess over and dream about. He somehow convinced the owner to give him the cake even though it was only supposed to be sold per slice in the farm's cafe.
I had really wanted to go for waffles for my birthday breakfast, but after weeks of researching, my Mum and Sister couldn't find anywhere decent nearby that did any. My mum bought a waffle maker and I woke up to fresh, homemade waffles with little bowls of fruit and chocolate toppings - heaven!
Once we'd finished breakfast and I'd opened my insanely generous gifts, my Mum took my Sister and I into town to get our nails done. I got some cute baby pink acrylics as I'd bitten off all of my nails the week before due to stress. The lady in the nail bar thought I was 16!! I definitely don't think I look as young as 16, but I guess when I'm older I might appreciate that youthful look a bit more!
After a yummy Chicken Caesar Salad and glass of Prosecco at Prezzo's, we drove back home so that I could quickly pack an overnight bag. My Uncle and I share a birthday; he lives in Texas and was here in the UK so we were able to spend our first birthday together in 24 years. My cousins live in Surrey and my Uncle had gone to stay with them. They had arranged a party for us for that night and we had booked ourselves into a nearby hotel. It took us longer than normal to drive up to the hotel, but once we arrived I was able to get ready for the evening's festivities in peace.
At the family birthday bash we drank lots of champagne and indulged in some chocolate and banoffee cupcakes. I think everyone had a fun time and it was so good for the whole family to get together as we are rarely even in the same country at the same time!
The Saturday after my birthday I had arranged for a few friends to come over for a barbecue. Quite a few friends were busy and said they couldn't make it, so when all these faces that I wasn't expecting turned up, I was shocked!!
My Sister made cute '25' letters for the party and put flowers from the garden in a few glasses. My Dad hung these cute lanterns from the house to give it a country-summer feel (they are from Ikea in case you wondered).
We made copious amounts of Pimms which we filled this cute keg-like decanter with. We had to top it up several times as people were loving the traditional British beverage!
Once we'd all eaten, my Sister had bought a hilarious unicorn piñata which she'd filled with sweeties and hung from a tree. We all thought we were a bit too "grown-up" to play such a childish game, but once we started to play everyone seemed to have a fabulous time!
My third and final birthday cake (yes, third!) was this amazing creation my family had had made for the BBQ. The chihuahuas on top are supposed to be my boys, Bambi and Rio. I thought the cake was absolutely adorable and I think all my guests did too!
Looking back on the pictures, I feel so lucky to have been so spoilt this birthday. Everyone really tried hard to make it the best birthday ever, and it really was. I won't forget this birthday ever!
Love and Kisses,
Vicki xoxo
