Eighth birthday!

Today was Archie’s birthday. We wanted to ignore it, preferring to celebrate his ‘Gotcha’ day in May, with warmer weather. But we could not ignore it, as Elizabeth acknowledged it with presents and a birthday lunch. She also took the day off, so that she could take him a big walk. And we found a parcel of presents on the doorstep from Christine too. She could not ignore the date as we’d had many birthday parties with Rufus and Bailey (and Molly). And so we could NOT ignore it… He had to wear his ‘It’s My Birthday’ bandana all day.

But the main news today is that I went to a proper exercise class today - Active Life. JR had gone once ages ago and realised it was TOO EASY for her. And it was full of older ladies - MY TRIBE! - but my goodness - they could manage ALL the exercises. I nearly DIED it was SO HARD. And it went on for SO LONG, with NO rests! However, I kept going, sort of, doing what I could. At the end the two ladies on either side of me both came and said, apologetically, that it was pretty hard - it was not the usual instructor. They didn’t want me to give up. So I WILL go again next week. In fact, one of the ladies said she was going to Aquafit next, and so I’ve booked in for that next week too. 

We then met up with Archie and Elizabeth at the cafe. She had taken him out for a birthday walk. So we decided we had to have a birthday party at home.JR walked home via Waitrose to get nibbles. We have plenty of emergency fizz! Greg from next door came on his crutches, Christine came (without Dougal, sadly). Pete came with Marsha. Abi came with PIP. Hazel came too. And a merry time was had. Archie opened his presents, and somehow later, when nobody was looking, managed to snaffle a whole doggie muffin and eat it. And the paper cup.

Funnily enough, he didn’t seem to mind wearing his ‘Happy Birthday’ hat. He kept it on for ages. Happy eighth birthday, Archie!!