A low-key 9th birthday.

M appeared in my bed at a very civilised 7.55am to open her presents and cards before A had to leave for work.  She'd already had her main birthday present from A & me, her French horn, but I had found a book on flags in my present stash, so I'd wrapped that up so she would have something to open on the day.  She also received a pin badge (she collects them) in the shape of a French horn from K, several books, a craft kit to make a London bus pin cushion, a chess set (from Uncle S & Aunty P - having played for the first time at their house when we visited), a couple of photo frames (again she collects them to put on her, already really rather full, wall), some black felt (requested for a secret reason) and some money.

Apart from going out for piano lessons and popping to the shops, we didn't go out, despite the lovely weather, because K & M became engrossed in both listening to Lemony Snicket story cds and in M's case using the black felt she had received putting her plan into action and although it's on the small side, she's happy with the result.

It's a top hat!

Their currently listening to 'Book the Tenth - The Slippery Slope' of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.  In it a poem is referenced (the title isn't quite right, but I think it's a common mistake, as I recognised it as a real poem despite not actually knowing it, if you see what I mean), so I found it and this evening read it to the girls.  It's The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.

This evening while K was at Scouts, M got her French horn out and had a good play, not just the things she's supposed to practise (which she's doing really well with), but also with a tune she has made up and some from one of the girls' early piano books.