Jude & Ben's birthdays 2015

The month of October is just class.  After the inevitable disappointment of the summer weather a little bit of sunshine and mild autumnal weather is just the ticket.  Yes the clock changes and the nights are shorter but what about the beautiful colours of the trees and all that lark, it is class. Another great thing about October is that it is home to both Jude and Ben's birthdays. 

First up is Jude on the 11th.  This year he was officially a little older than last year and a little younger than he'll be next year. 

Out celebrating today were Jude, Emma and Marguerite.






This first place they visited was called 'Made in Belfast', and a very nice spot it was indeed.   Emma and Marguerite got horsed into the cocktails like they were going out of fashion tomorrow ........ while Jude treated himself to a nice Scandinavian beer.








Jude's great at multi-tasking.  He can be a complete wally and a creature of habit at the same time.  Why?  Well Marguerite always asks (every year), 'what would you like for your birthday?  Jude would reply, 'ehhh ...... we'll go into Belfast, buy some stuff for me, then head out for food and beer'.  So that's the creature of habit bit, but what about the wally bit?  Well he always goes into Belfast with an outfit on and buys a whole new one (shoes and all) and changes in the shop and walks out in a whole new rig.  Just like Mr Benn ... wha?  (Ehhh .... definitely showing the age there!!).


And it's always a Saturday ..... no matter what day Jude's birthday is, it is always properly celebrated on the nearest Saturday.  That makes sense of course as everyone can let their hair down and have some fun.  Just like Jude and Marguerite are doing here in their next stop which was called 'Perch'.








This place was class.  Kind of hard to describe mind you.  Let's just say there were birds chirping all over the place and it was indoors but outdoors at the same time........ and with lots of plants and whatnot.  Actually it was like a jungle or being in a bird cage in an exotic country.  However in reality it was just a pub in Belfast.  A nice pub in Belfast though!

Like I said earlier Emma and Marguerite ...... well they were enjoying the cocktails a little too much at this stage!
 
   


'Bluuue Moon of Kennnn....tucky just a keep on shinin ....... shine on the one that's gone and left me blue'.  What? 

Well this time Jude treated himself to a pint of Blue Moon, now that's a Boston lager actually and it's as tasty a beer as you are likely to find on tap anywhere ...... anywhere this side of Kentucky that is! 






So cutting a long story short.  Jude went to the bogs and Emma and Marguerite went down stairs in the lift and waited here  ...... at this seat like.  Jude meanwhile took the energetic route and ran down the stairs and waited outside.  So they were inside and he were outside ....... for 15 minutes!!! Ehhhhh ....... and that's after only a couple of beers!!







A couple of days previously Jude had been a business event in Titanic called 'Belfast Homecoming 2015' and in the brochure was an advert for a pub called the Hudson and in particular it's chicken wings.  So Jude had to go there, he just had to and wouldn't shut up until he got there.  The beer in here was a Belfast lager but it was the chicken wings that stole the show.  They were very good, very hot and well recommended.        


    

Next stop was good old Kelly's Cellars.  For Jude and Marguerite a good day out in Belfast often ends here.













Jude has spotted someone taking a pic ..... so he returned the favour!














Emma and Marguerite in Kelly's Cellars.















Emma, Jude, Marguerite ..... and the random folk in the background ....... all enjoying the craic in Kelly's.













Shortly after Jude's birthday came Ben's 3rd birthday.  So Marguerite and Jude had been planning for Ben's birthday for some time ........ about 6 months in fact.  Why?  Well they decided they wanted the driveway tarmacked before his birthday so ..........














....... Ben could ride his new bike .... that's why.

Here is Ben walking into the living room on his birthday and seeing his new bike for the first time (while Marguerite peeked around the corner).










All smiles and super excited he was ......














........ as he got on his first proper bike.














Ben was laughing so much he could hardly open his card.














'Here Mama, you take that I'm going to ride my bike'.  And before long ........




  









....... Ben went for his first spin around the house.  

Ben rode the bike for hours and hours ....... indoors ...... outdoors ......  he didn't care ...... as far as he was concerned this was just the best day ever!











Later that day was Ben's birthday party and he got to invite some of his friends from school.  Alicia and Daniel are two of Ben's good friends from his class at school.











'Happy birthday to youuuu ....... happy birthday to youuuuu .... haaaappy birrrrthday dear Bennnnnn ....... happy birthday to you!!!












It took Ben a few goes to blow out the candles but he got there in the end.













Ben's cousin Adam had a great time at the party.  Here he is on the garden treasure hunt!       

On the garden treasure hunt all the kids at the party got a gift that was strategically hid in hedges, bushes and all sorts of places!

Love the hat Adam!!!






After the garden party the kids all played and messed about ......... as three year olds can do better than anyone!












Ben's Auntie Mary and Uncle Kevin got him the gift of the Antrim Hurling Jersey.  Jude had been planning on getting him the County Down jersey but Kevin and Mary beat him to it.  Ben loves hurling and he loves his hurling tops.  this now holds pride of place along with his Loch Mor Gaels jersey. 

Happy 3rd birthday Ben!