So, finally, we got there.
And, if I've learned anything from this, it's that no amount of organisation can plan for real life.
You may recall a few weeks ago I was getting set for our little James's first birthday party.
Stress was at an all time high as I was frantically searching here and searching there for all types of everything.
At the same time, I found myself concerned about whether I should have been booking bouncy Disco Domes, candy floss machines and personal appearances by the cast of Paw Patrol - all because I had heard other parents talking about their top tier party plans.
Well, some of you made your feelings pretty clear to me on this, stopping me in the supermarket to tell me to wind my neck in and remember it was a one-year-old's party.
So, bearing this in mind I set about planning all the last minute essentials and then the week of the party arrived - and we ended up at the out-of-hours doctor because little James was not a bit well.
With raging temperatures and a worrying rash, we took no chances. The doctor sent us on to the hospital where we sat in an A&E cubicle waiting to be seen as my heart raced and I paced and I paced, consumed with worry.
Eventually, after running through all the terrible scenarios in my head and having been put in an isolation ward, we were sent home and told to just keep giving him Calpol and Nurofen and soon the rash would go - and it did.
But as he wasn't feeling well for a few days, we decided to postpone the party until the birthday boy was a bit better.
Eventually, three weeks later, we finally celebrated his little milestone at the weekend.
As it turned out his party came within a few days of the one year anniversary of him getting out of the neo-natal ward where he had spent the first few weeks of his life.
I have to say this made me feel a bit sad and a bit upset but then I realised how wonderful he and Abbie are and how lucky Darren and I are.
So, with the house decked out in balloons and banners and the Thomas The Tank Engine cake proudly displayed next to the cupcakes and sweeties and all sorts of treats, we opened the doors of our home to family and friends who joined us to mark the special event.
In honour of the beautiful sunshine, the wee man was dressed in his new dungarees and his new sandals and he just loved all the attention.
In his attempts to walk independently, he made his way around the kitchen holding on to everyone's legs and hands, sitting down now and again for a rest.
Abbie also had the best time as she also managed to get hold of some presents brought for her amid all the chaos.
When it came to blowing out the candles, Abbie kindly assisted her little brother with the task at hand and it wouldn't do but we had to light them again so they could have a second go.
With plenty of toys around and plenty of chat, I think the day was a big success.
And it was just as well really that the sunshine paid a visit, because having fun on the bouncy castle in the rain just isn't the same.
We all had a ball, especially James and Abbie, who loved all the bouncing around.
I know some of you will criticise but I just couldn't resist ordering the bouncy castle. The beaming smiles from our babies made for wonderful memories for us and we will treasure them forever.
Happy Birthday baby James, hope you enjoyed your big day.
We love you lots.
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Competition
The daffodils have finally bloomed and the sun has even made an appearance - so how do you fancy a little trip?
The Easter holidays will soon be upon us and no doubt, as usual, parents will find themselves asking what can we do with the kids?
At this time of year, families usually come out of hibernation and day-trips and short breaks are on the agenda, especially over the Easter break.
Translink has a huge range of Easter offers, including hopping on board the Enterprise train service to Dublin with the family in tow.
Further details about Translink’s special discounted offers are available online at www.translink.co.uk/enterprise or by calling 028 90 66 66 30.
Translink even has a super deal to make life even easier for parents planning egg-citing family fun.
Two adults and up to four children can travel to Dublin after 9.30am for just £50 return.
And guess what, I have two family tickets to give away.
If you fancy winning a ticket for you and your family, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday, 4th April at 12 noon.
Q: What date is Easter Sunday this year?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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What's Hot?
Drama - Is anyone else absolutely addicted to Broadchurch on ITV? I am obsessed with the drama of it all and think David Tennant and Olivia Colman are brilliant - but whodunnit? I'm excited to find out but don't want the show to end.
Pitter Patter - Congratulations to Cheryl Ann Fernandez-Versini and partner, One Direction star Liam Payne, after they welcomed their first child together, a healthy baby boy. Lovely news.
Extended - New research has found that being a parent can add two years on to your life expectancy. Swedish health experts found the reason for this to be the fact that children provide vital support when parents are older. Great news.
So Not!
Smaller - Chocolate manufacturers have warned that our favourite sweet treats are set to get smaller because of Brexit, due to the soaring price of ingredients. This is very bad news.
Crazy - Is anyone else losing the plot with Broadchurch? There are so many suspects and every time I think I have worked it out, there's another twist in the storyline. It's driving me around the bend.
Battle - Loose Women presenter, Coleen Nolan has revealed her elder sister, Linda is battling cancer, which is not curable but treatable. Linda, who is 58, had previously battled breast cancer but had been in remission for six years.
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Competition
The winners of the Lidl competition are Janice Doherty, from Derry, Darren Moan, from Bangor, and Maire Melly, from Antrim
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Easy Peasy Recipe
This week’s Easy Peasy Recipe is Chocolate and Pear Pudding
You will need:
200g butter
300g golden caster sugar
4 large eggs
75g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
410g of drained pear halves
100g plain dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
Fresh cream or ice-cream to serve
To Make:
Pre-heat oven to 170C/Gas Mark 5 and lightly grease an oven proof dish.
In a pan, melt the butter and then pour into a bowl. Add the sugar and mix.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and gradually add to the butter and sugar mixture and stir.
Sift in the flour and cocoa powder and beat hard.
Pour into the oven proof dish and scatter the pear halves in amongst the mixture.
Cut the chocolate into small pieces and scatter over the top of the mixture. Bake for 30 mins.
Serve warm with fresh cream or ice cream
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
Are you the queen of quiches, magnificent at muffins or can you turn out some nice scones?
If so, then we want to hear from you.
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Marie Louise McConville,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
m.mcconville@irishnews.com
