Dear oh dear, where is the time going?
It feels like it was just yesterday that our beautiful little Abbie entered our lives and suddenly, here we are celebrating her third birthday.
From cradling our little blondie in our arms to suddenly painting her nails, fixing her pigtails and watching her try to apply eye shadow, I just don't know where the time has gone.
But apparently gone it has because the family gathered together this week to celebrate our little girl turning three and while inside I felt like lying down and crying, on the outside, I managed to hold it together.
While we have marked her first two birthdays with parties at home, for the first time, this year, we booked Funky Monkeys as she just loves the slide and all the bits and pieces of fun on offer.
With all the gang assembled last Saturday, it was time for Abbie and her little brother James and their cousins and other family and friends to enter the play frame at Funky Monkeys and burn off some birthday party energy.
Abbie had an absolute ball climbing up the frame and coming back down on the slide - multiple times - and didn't let her pink tutu party dress, proudly displaying her Birthday Girl badge, deter her efforts.
Soon, we were all called into the party room where Abbie got to sit in the birthday girl seat and with all her wee guests gathered around her, they tucked into a toddler feast including her favourite thing in the whole world - ham sandwiches.
Then it was time for the fruit kebabs and chicken and cocktail sausages and other munchies but before long, it was time for the cake - My Little Pony style - and Abbie was so excited to blow out the candles.
However, as if all of this wasn't enough, what happened next was just the star on top of the Christmas Tree for her because a very special guest arrived looking for the birthday girl.
Dressed in her famous trademark blue gown, complete with a snowflake cloak, Queen Elsa - with her flowing blonde plait - entered the party room.
I don't even think I can do justice to our little Abbie's reaction.
Her eyes widened and I swear they were twinkling and her smile just beamed from ear to ear. She was truly entranced by Queen Elsa, whom she just adores in Disney's Frozen.
Having travelled the whole way from Arendelle, Queen Elsa was delighted to see Abbie, who had changed into her own Elsa dress at this stage.
With the heavy snow, some had feared Queen Elsa might not have made it but as we know, she loves the snow, however, her journey to Funky Monkeys was not without its problems as she got stuck on a hill at one stage.
However, we are thankful to the two guys who came to Elsa's aid and pushed her free so she could get to Abbie.
Holding Abbie's hand, Elsa and the birthday girl - who was in shock - exchanged pleasantries before the Queen launched into song, singing `Do You Want To Build A Snowman' from the movie, Frozen.
Abbie cuddled into me as she quietly sang along with the familiar tune and the smile on her face just warmed my heart.
It was then time for Elsa to give out some gifts and Abbie was delighted to receive a little heart locket necklace, which she has not put down since.
The other children received sweets and stickers before Elsa posed for some photos with Abbie and the other guests.
As I stood there watching the birthday girl, part of me wished she could just stay this little and this innocent forever.
Her life as a now three-year-old currently revolves around ham sandwiches, dippy sauce, Kinder eggs and Disney Princesses and for Elsa to arrive at her party just surpassed her little dreams. It was so magical.
That night, as she was falling asleep, Abbie was still talking about Elsa and she still had a smile on her face.
Once again, we have wonderful memories to treasure.
And, thanks again to Queen Elsa for sprinkling some birthday magic on Abbie's special day, and to the birthday girl herself, we love and adore you beyond words Princess Abbie and hope you had a fabulous day.
Happy Birthday baby.
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Competition
Not long to go now until the big day, so how about a night out to look forward to after all the presents are unwrapped?
In 2017, DJ Johnny Hero celebrated 40 years behind the decks and to round off the year of celebration, he will be hosting three very special events at the Europa Hotel in Belfast over the festive period
From bringing his records to the Twinbrook Youth Club to host the weekly disco back in 1977, to spinning tunes around the Greek Islands, Johnny’s love of music has seen him travel far and wide.
On Wednesday, December 27, he will take to the stage at the Europa Hotel as the front man with the legendary GlamSlam who perform all the seventies classics by stars including Sweet, Bowie, T Rex, Slade and The Bay City Rollers.
Also on the bill are special guests Live And Dangerous with their fantastic tribute to Thin Lizzy.
This show is a must for fans of seventies nostalgia and classic rock.
Tickets are available from Irish Ticket Tours on Great Victoria Street or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk.
I have three pairs of tickets for GlamSlam to give away to three lucky readers.
If you fancy winning a voucher, 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, December 19, 2017
(Q) Where is GlamSlam playing on December 27, 2017?
Entrants must be age 18 and over. Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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What's Hot?
Release - Star Wars fans are lining up outside cinemas today to get a first glimpse of Episode VIII The Last Jedi. Having taken her first steps into a larger world, Rey continues her epic journey with Finn, Poe, and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the Star Wars saga.
Tune - I'm really loving Pink's new single `Beautiful Trauma'. It's nice and soothing before it becomes a cute, little dancey number. Keep up the good work Pink, we're loving the new tunes.
Sweet & Cheesy - If you're a cheese lover but have a sweet tooth, check out Asda's new Wensleydale with Double Chocolate Orange. The cheese has been infused with milk and white chocolate and real pieces of orange zest make for a delicious citrussy kick. Sounds divine.
So Not!
Passing - Tributes have been paid to TV legend Keith Chegwin who passed away this week at the age of 60. The veteran presenter had battled a long-term lung condition.
Collapse - Fans of Driving Home for Christmas singer Chris Rea have expressed concerns after he collapsed on stage during a concert in Oxford. The 66-year-old is now said to be in a stable condition in hospital.
Advert - Imagine my shock when I was standing in a shop the other day when I heard an advert for the store's new chocolate spread and how I should buy it because "pancake Tuesday isn't that far away". Not cool. Wise up.
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Competition
The winners of the Magic of Michael Jackson competition are Maura Murphy, from Derrygonnelly, Peter Barnwell, from Belfast and Karen Williamson, from Warrenpoint
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Easy Peasy Recipe
This week’s Easy Peasy Recipe is Christmas Soup and has been sent in courtesy of Lidl
You will need:
2 red onions peeled and sliced
1 turnip peeled and diced
1 packet carrot and parsnip, peeled, trimmed and diced
2 pears, peeled, cored, and diced
1 knob of butter (50g)
Sage or thyme
2.5 ltrs water
1 Kania chicken stock cube
350ml mulled wine
1 packet Alesto cranberry and macadamia nut mix (70g)
A little lightly whipped cream (optional)
Kania Salt and Pepper (to season)
To Make:
Sweat the onions gently in the butter for 10 minutes, making sure there's a lid on the pot for best effect.
Add the carrots, parsnips, turnips and sage.
Continue to sweat the vegetables for a further 10 minutes then add the pears, water, mulled wine and stock cube.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes then blend till smooth and season.
When ready, serve in warm bowls with a drizzle of whipped cream and a scattering of cranberry and macadamia mix.
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
