Oliver Turns 6 With A Super Birthday Party At The Rainbow Factory

I can’t believe my ‘baby’ Oliver turned 6 on Sunday.

The one who made me a Mama.

Who teaches me as much as I teach him.

My boy.

It really doesn’t seem that long ago he was actually a baby.

Those eyes-

And I could not, NOT share the famous and most touching of poems ‘Now We Are Six’ by  A.A. Milne-it made me well up just typing it out-

When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I’m as clever as clever.
So I think I’ll be six
now and forever.

Beautiful.

I call Oliver my best friend, he’s my rock, my (sensible) sidekick who reminds me not to walk too near to the river near our home, when we head off on adventures, or you know, just fancy a stroll to our local express supermarket- and this little guy loves nothing more than painting, reading and baking with his Mama (and Grandad too)!

He even enjoys shopping with me (well trained). If only Daddy felt the same hey!

Oliver adores Maths at school and problem solving too. I have a feeling he might well become a doctor (the wish of a hypochondriac Mama)!

Super creative and logical too-what a mix!

And here are some more of my favourite shots taken over the years-

I love this shot taken two Christmases ago as he and ‘Papu’, my Dad made festive biscuits to hang on the tree, together.

…And here he is saluting me before scoffing an ice cream. Hup two!

Charismatic, confident, Oliver is a boy with a wild imagination and a relentless thirst for knowledge. He seems almost desperately eager to grasp the world around him, and understand all its complexities (my Mum says I was exactly the same as a child).

His endless questions and wonder make me see the world anew, and naturally steers me towards Google several times a day, so I can pretend to have all the answers.

I now know more about the planets than I ever did, making the solar system a real contender as my specialist subject for Mastermind! BBC2 I’m ready for ya!

Et voilà- the pensive person I made myself (kinda)!

Oliver is utterly fascinated by space and one day wants to travel to the moon.

The way Branson is heading, Oliver might just do that!

…And below, here is my all-time most favourite portrait of my son, aged 3-my caring, wise beyond his years, sweet, sweet Oliver.

My mini Marlon Brando!

I’m in love with this one too-

The photos we took on Sunday are special ones too

…Opening his presents in the morning discovering a bright red bike, helmet and Miposaur electric dinosaur toy yearned for all year, (along with little goodies and luckily a note for his money box from the grandparents), it was time for lunch at my brother, Uncle Solos’ Italian restaurant Giorgio’s before a party with his friends!

The unboxing!

Before a naturally vegan lunch!

Then, paaarrrrty time!

And what a party it was.
Oliver celebrated his special day at his most favourite place: The Rainbow Factory in Leeds-the most magical, creative space you could imagine-a wondrous haven for kids everywhere. Distinctly original, there is really no place like it in the UK.

Seamlessly weaving storytelling, performance and arts and crafts with play, it entertains and educates in the most stimulating and fun way!

Actors Rachael (Red Riding Hood) and Lydia incorporated Oliver’s favourite storybooks (Twits, Stick Man and more) into original pieces of theatre for the crowd of kids invited, along with creative games the children lapped up, wide eyed and engaged.

Most of all they laughed non-stop.

We could not have wished for a more perfect party!

…Arts and crafts time in the Creative Kitchen

Then feasting time!

And how incredible were the cakes?

So much so, they have a post each dedicated to them I will go live with soon, but huge thanks to creative geniuses Kath of Kath’s Cakes in Harrogate and Cakes by Andrea for the cupcakes.

After our Jamaican holiday with Beaches Resorts last year, the boys became besotted with Sesame Street making these the perfect cupcakes of choice.

And just look at the birthday cake by Kath. This might just be a world first as there wasn’t a Bear Yo Yo cake online anywhere when I researched ideas for Oliver. Oliver and his buddies are obsessed with these fruit sweets and shiny cards so this was literally his IDEAL cake.

Amazing huh?! Well done Kath. Oliver loved opening the actual fruit sweet and keeping the shiny cards too at the end. An extra present for the birthday boy!

Check out the detail. Wow!

…Blowing out the candles!

Make a wish!

…The delicious food and thoughtful party bags, Mr Men books included, made the perfect finale to a spectacular day.

We will always remember it!

Thank you Oliver for making our lives so fun and meaningful.

You dazzle us with your maturity but it’s important that we remember you are still so young, to not forget you’re growing, learning and developing, testing boundaries and finding your place in this big world despite being a little boy.

He only reminded me the other day he’s 6 more years until he’s a teenager.

Don’t rush to grow up so quickly, it makes your Mummy feel sad (and old)! Ha!

You’re are a perfectionist who is easily frustrated if you don’t get things right first time, but you must learn to be kinder to yourself and understand you can’t win every time.

You’ll get there, together Daddy and I hold your hand and guide you as best we can.

Your little brother can frustrate you but he loves you like no other, you are his hero and I feel the luckiest lady in the world with you as my kids.

I love you little boy, keep shining brightly.

The sky, the stars and planets too are there for you to reach for (and maybe even visit one day).

All our love, always x