Joshua turns 14.

I've used this photo on my blog before but I just love it.

What a happy day that was, the day we had our son.  Josh was 11lb 1 1/2 oz at birth and all I had for pain was gas and air.  Ouch!  His shoulders hurt more coming out than his head and he still has really broad shoulders.  He's going to be a big man when he's finished growing.

I took Em down for her first exams and she was really nervous but very relieved when she had finished them both.  Two more today, one tomorrow and then it's all over. 

Josh desperately needed a haircut and I took him down for that and they fitted us in right away.  Then we went and got supplies for the birthday dinner.

He loved his presents but no real surprises as he pretty well knew what he was getting except the little case/charger I got him. 

Josh loves waffles, they are his latest craze of all foods American.  So he asked for a waffle cake.  I had no idea how I was going to do it but finally figured that I'd stack them up with jam and whipped cream in between them.

Then covered it in chocolate fudge and vanilla ready made frosting (Betty Crocker of course).  Then some silver cachous.  We found sparkler "candles" which were great.  I put the star there because I've always called Josh my little star.  The cake turned out really well, Josh loved it.  I think if I did it again (and I probably won't) I would use cherry jam rather than plum jam, perhaps with a bit of rum essence mixed in.

We had fondue, with marinated prawns, fillet steak, pork, chicken and marinara mix.  It was breezy outside and the flame kept moving about so the oil didn't stay as hot as it should have been.

He said he had a really nice birthday.  Kate sent him a game for his new 3ds and a really interesting book.  She often gives books for gifts which I think is great.  I don't buy the kids books much anymore but I should.

It's so hot and humid here today.  I just went to pick Em up from school and we went down the street but had to hurry home when the skies clouded over very darkly.  Put the car in the carport in case of hail and dragged the washing off the line but there's only been a few drops so far in spite of the weather forecast saying we're in for storms.  We need rain!