Amber’s 7th Birthday

The big day arrived after the customary countdown from 364 days to go…

Amber was at a real disadvantage this year.  At the school in Plzen, we overwhelmed the Czech culture and created a new trend in making a big doo about birthdays.  We had class parties with games, cakes and sweets, which compensated in us not having any friends outside of the school or the need to have a separate party.  With us only arriving in Reading a few weeks before her birthday and Amber now being in “big” school, we were unable to arrange a school birthday and Amber was not yet familiar with any of the children to invite them for a party at home.

We gave her some options, and she voted for a trip into London to visit Hamley’s, the biggest toy store in London with £50 to spend, and Sarah with £20.

The night before her birthday is always saved for the icing of the cake, where Amber and Sarah pour on every sprinkle and glittery spronkle onto the top of the cake and wait in anticipation for having Cake for Breakfast in the morning.

In the morning, Amber went on a present hunt, looking for the gifts from the grandparents and cousins from far away.

There is no better treat than cake for breakfast before school…

Happy Birthday, Amber!

The next day was Saturday and we were up early to catch the train into London. 

Hamley’s was fantastic.  It feels like you are walking into Disney Land as you are greeted by dressed up characters on the side walk blowing bubbles and doing tricks, making it impossible for any parent to walk past the shop without being dragged inside. 

The shop was enormous, covering 6 floors of toys, toys, toys, oh and then some more toys.

After a couple of hours, we escaped without any change from the £50 and a rucksack full of goodies and a McDonald size hunger.

Sarah has decided that she want the same now for her birthday in a few months time.