23

It was my birthday on Monday. Birthdays are great because they involve cake. This is what Mum baked for me this year.

It was an afternoon tea party cake, complete with fondant icing ham sandwiches! Although I have to admit she didn't completely make it by herself....

Dad even made a layer of the sponge! He thinks his sponge is the best. Doesn't he look lovely in an apron?

I also received some great birthday presents this year.

Shiny patent shoes! I knew I was getting these though because I had to try them on. The colour in the photo isn't quite right, they're a bright bluey purple.

I got a new winter scarf from Uncle Johnny and Aunty Janice and a jam/chutney making kit from Andrew and Fiona. Is it wrong that I'm so excited about a cooking thermometer? Alex, my 3 year old nephew, drew a portrait of me. I like that he thinks I have massively long legs. Mum and Dad also bought me a Diana Mini camera which I am absolutely delighted with and can't wait to use. I knew a few people at uni who were really into Diana photography but I got my fancy pants digital SLR for my 21st so I didn't feel the need to buy other cameras at the time. This camera is so tiny, it looks ridiculously small next to my SLR. I haven't taken a photo of my other birthday present from Mum and Dad. It's large and requires a bit of renovation so I'm leaving it for another blog post. Hope you're all excited!

My birthday package from Eoin and his girlfriend Caitlin arrived in the post yesterday. He gave me the Hairy Bikers "Mums know best" book and Caitlin gave me a girly goody bag including a pretty hairband, cute socks and pens, earrings.

What? Does no else try to fit in the boxes their presents arrive in? Just me then? Ok.