Last weekend saw my youngest son, Alexander turn 2, two whole years!
I know every parent on the planet says the same thing, but doesn’t time fly, people?!
My precious baby has officially turned into a toddler and as many who follow this blog know, he also began another big journey as he started nursery soon after (it’s been a bit bumpy so far but things are slowly improving) but back to the celebrations…
We decided this year to keep things simple and spend the whole of Saturday (his actual birthday) a chilled out affair with a long, relaxed birthday brunch I stayed up until 2am preparing the night before (presents were wrapped, favourite treats placed into porcelain Peter Rabbit bowls) and cards at the ready!
After an epic Full English breakfast (thanks Papa G and my Mum for popping over and insisting they rustle it up) and opening all the gifts from family and friends, Oliver in dinosaur fancy dress naturally, with the play doh ice cream maker from my brother and his girlfriend Lucy being particarly popular along with the bricks and a train set from friends… we lounged around all day veering between Barbie, Horrid Henry and Buzz Bee as Alexander told everyone over and over it was his birthday! Bless!
Alexander might have tried to lick these!
Then we headed out for a mooch around Harrogate in the rain (hot chocolate anyone?) and a trip to a toy shop for lego (not sure Alexander needed more but it’s his birthday) before a tasty early dinner in Wetherby at Filmore and Union, a healthy, super-food joint the kids love! They even presented the birthday boy with a birthday slice of gluten free chocolate brownie!
A perfect day!
Sunday saw all the immediate family get together at my brother’s beautiful Italian restaurant Giorgio’s in Headingley for a great Italian feast in Alexander’s honour! Huge thanks to Great Plains for gifting me the stunning Wild Thing Hoxton dress I’m wearing, they made me feel a million dollars!
The food as always was incredible from shared antipasti starters and ribs to risotto and grilled seafood-divine!
The pièce de résistance had to be the bespoke gluten free (really) Arsenal football cake that made Alexander’s eyes simply pop out of his head with glee!
Alexander is crazily gifted at football, not just ‘yeah my kid’s good at football’ kind of good-madly so, people stop me in the park to ask to take videos/ pictures of him playing (no and no again)-he can shoot goals from one end of the pitch to the other, could dribble from 10 months old and I already know every single item I want from Chanel when he’s signed to England (no pressure then)!
Arsenal is my Dad and brother’s team and together they all watch and shout along to the games on TV (I won’t let my Dad take the boys to the real life games when he goes to London, just yet)!
….Alexander is a sweet, loving little boy with so much personality, he’s a chatter box like his brother Oliver whom he adores and copies at every move and he brighten up all our lives with his cute smile and contagious laughter.
Alexander is so affectionate too, he wanders around stroking my hair saying, “nice Mama” and kissing his Daddy and I at every opportunity and he loves nothing more than to tickle us too.
He delights everyone who meets him, he has this presence, he’s a little force of nature, and many say he resembles Orlando Bloom (my cutie) so watch out the ladies in a few years!
Seriously, I couldn’t be more proud of him and his brother. I don’t know what I did to deserve such gorgeous boys in my life, I really don’t!
…So back to the party, after singing Happy Birthday to my special boy not once but twice (with even the chefs coming out to serenade him), we were driving home full of fabulous food (Peter also ate the panacotta below), a tired but happy boy fast asleep before the sun set!
A special birthday for a wonderful toddler who simply lights up our lives!
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Happy birthday, little man. Looks like a great celebration – and those are some lovely photos.
Time flies! I can’t believe he is two already. What a gorgeous family you have xx
Thanks darling, it really does, hope to see you soon x
Ah what a wonderful birthday celebration! And, as always, super photos too. By the way, Luka has the same dinosaur costume 😀 x x x x
I can’t believe Alexander is two already! Happy Birthday! I remember you being pregnant at BritMums. Time flies.xx
Aww what a little cutie! Looks like you had a great day. I remember my little one turning two, he’s almost 3 now, goes so quick!
Thanks, it really does lovely x
Happy Birthday Alexander!
Such a happy post, looks like you all had a great day!
My youngest turned two at the end of August. It may be a cliché but yes, time really does fly. Something about them officially leaving the baby years behind that tugs at the heartstrings!X
It really does but they are still our babies and I reckon the baby years really end around 3 or make that 4, scrap that haha x
What an amazing day for a gorgeous little man 😉 Looks like you all had a blast! I can;t believe mine will be three just before Xmas… *sniff* where does it go! lol xx
Thanks darling, wow, time sure does fly (and yet we look younger every day)! hehe x
Aww fab post, so full of love for your boys. Looks like you had some wonderful celebrations and lots of lovely family times. Happy Birthday Alexander! Xx
Thanks darling, we all did x
Love the pictures. The food looks gorgeous, you all look gorgeous – perfect hair of course 😉 It all sounds like a beautiful way to spend a birthday. Lucky boy xxx
Haha thanks darling, really was so lovely x
Gorgeous post and photos lovely lady and a very happy birthday to little Alexander. Our girls love the Play Doh sweet shoppe and Brio train set too 🙂
Thanks lovely, fab presents aren’t they x
Alexander is a gorgeous little boy, as are both your children – they take after their mum! Happy birthday to Alexander, glad you all had a great celebration xxx
Aw that is too kind, thank you lovely, we had a wonderful time xx
Aw such amazing photos, really beautiful!!
Looks like he had a fab birthday, my boy had a very similar cake for his 10th birthday this year, it was a Leicester cake tho 🙂
Ha love that, aw thank you x
So special. Happy birthday to him! Love the picture of Alexander with your dad and he’s got choc round his mouth – very sweet
Thanks Rebecca, I love that picture so much too x
Belated birthday wishes to Alexander. Looks like you all had a brilliant weekend and the photos are fabulous!
Thanks so much Izzie x
Wow, sounds like you had an amazing time.
And such lovely photographs, what a little cutie!
And yes you are right, where does the time go!!
Thanks Jenni, it flies by right (just not when you’re up all night with them)! Ha x
Happy Birthday! Love all the fun filled photos of celebration. I love a good party. You looked amazing, love your outfit too. Looks like he celebrated in style and had the time of his life. So cute at that age with birthdays aren’t they? Lovely post.
Thanks so much Jenny it was such a fun day full of love x
Happy Birthday Alexander! I can’t believe our boys are now two either! It looks like he had lovely birthday.
Thanks Emma, wow they grow up so fast, remember when we were both expecting x
Awww such adorable pictures, he is so cute! Love his amazing hair. Happy Birthday Alexander! Lovely post hun x
Thanks sweetie, his hair is rather amazing isn’t it x
Happy birthday, Alexander. Isn’t he the cutest little boy with these curls? He looks so much like you, Vicki! Your parents are the best for coming to you and rustling up a fry up for everyone! The photos are quite simply food porn… I am hungry now!
My word, such handsome boys!
They do grow far too quickly – but I don;t suppose it’s all bad when they get to have special day. He looks so happy xx
I love everything about this post lovely – little A is just beautiful. I’m glad you all had such a wonderful celebration. Such special memories! Oh, and that pannacotta looks AMAZING xx
Aw thanks sweetie, we had the best weekend ever, mwah x
That hair, those eyes, that smile!! He is utterly gorgeous – just like the rest of your lovely family. Happy happy birthday to your little Prince and so glad you all had a wonderful day x
Thanks darling Michelle for your gorgeous words, lots of love x
Gosh he looks so grown up and it only seems five minutes ago that he was a baby. Gorgeous photos, what a lovely family occasion. They grow up too quickly though don’t they?
Thanks so much Nikki, they really do! Time sure does fly, thanks for your kind comment!
Happy birthday to him! It was my 16th birthday on the same day 🙂 Looks like he had an incredible day!
Oh wow, really, birthday siblings! Ha, hope you had a fab day and Happy Birthday x
what a lovely post looks like he had a brilliant birthday, your little boy has the most beautiful big brown eyes!
Thanks so much Amy x
Wow what a gorgeous post, gorgeous photos and gorgeous boys. 🙂 happy birthday to little A. I still remember us both pregnant and can’t believe our bumps are 2!!!! 🙂 looks like you all had a very special weekend. Lovely memories xxx
Oh darling, I remember well, how can our bumps be 2-loved us both being pregnant together xx
Happy birthday to Alexander! Such a gorgeous little boy and it looks like you had a fabulous family weekend. I can’t quite believe we’ll be celebrating Arthur turning two in just over three months… The time really does fly! xx
He’s so beautiful. I hope he enjoyed his birthday!
Thanks darling, he really did x
Thanks sweetie, he did x
I don’t think I’ve ever come across a more gorgeous post. Both of your boys are simply adorable. What a pair! Belated birthday greetings to the littlest. Mine turns 2 in January and I can’t believe how quickly it’s coming around either x
Oh Rachel what high praise, thanks so so much, your posts are always stunning so I’m truly touched. I can’t believe it either, our beautiful little boys are growing up x
What a beautiful birthday weekend celebration. Happy Birthday Alexander!
Thanks Alexis, nothing lovelier than all the family together x
What a gorgeous boy you have! Looks like you all had a brilliant time celebrating!
Beautiful photos x
Thanks so much Kim, we really did x
So pleased today’s post has put a smile on my face, amazing photos, and looks like you all had a great day on Alexander’s bday. Happy birthday to him again, he is a looker too, love his wild hair and also the fact he is an Arsenal fan 😉 You all look beautiful and very happy, so pleased for you hun.
Thanks so much darling, it was such a fun weekend, lots of love x