Birthday level up & a birthday BBQ {Ordinary moments}

What a week. I can say that because it’s been insanely busy as we got ready for Ellie’s Birthday BBQ. Alongside planning the BBQ party we {or I!} decided to revamp parts of the house. So there has been a lot {like, a lot, a lot!} of glossing, painting, decluttering and then some. So, it’s been a week! 

But once everything was done, the birthday celebrations could commence. I levelled up to 39 – woohoo! There is something about ‘levelling up’ that feels so much more badass to say that I’m level 39 rather than I’m 39. Just me? If you’re a gamer, you’ll get me. 

To help me celebrate levelling up, my husband and a group of our friends went out for an escape room {which is our new thing to do}, followed by food and drinks. Back in May, when we went out for my Husbands 30th, we went to Forbidden Quest Escape Rooms in Belfast for the Game of Kings escape room.

It was brilliant and we escape in 59.54 – so we had 6 seconds to spare. Six seconds! It was all pretty thrilling and I knew at that point, we needed to come back to do more. 

For my birthday {and my friends – our birthday’s are 1 day apart} we did The Preacher escape room. You’re blindfolded and technically kidnapped by a notorious Belfast serial killer and your job is to escape – obviously. Did we escape? I’ll let you know at the bottom of this post! 

After the escape room, we went on for food, far too many cocktails that I care to admit drinking and laughs aplenty. It was a pretty wicked night and we couldn’t have done it with a better bunch of people.

Next day was Father’s Day/Ellie’s birthday – and all with a hangover. Grim. {All down to the choc pop shots, no doubt!}

On this morning, my eldest girl was fourteen and I still cannot quite comprehend that. Fourteen! Anyways, disbelief aside, presents were opened, hugs were given and Birthday BBQ prepping was in full swing.

We knew the prospect of good weather was slim – but when we got the alert of torrential rain due for midday, we thought we’d need to invest in a boat. But I’m not one who is easily defeated and it’s only a little rain after all!

However, as luck would have it, the rain stayed away until after 7 pm – not for a few threatening looking clouds keeping us on our toes! So, we enjoyed our BBQ – burnt a few sausages {we’re BBQ first-timers!} but put on one hell of a spread with every condiment imaginable. 

It was a pretty great birthday party and our girl had a good day and she got given some pretty epic gifts – which included a Junior Keeper experience at Blackpool Zoo and a Shark VIP experience at the Sealife Centre in Blackpool. So she is pretty stoked – especially since scuba diving with sharks is on her bucket list – but snorkelling with them will have to do for now! 

Now for the cleanup and rest! It’s been a full-on week and we could all use a little downtime. The countdown is now on for the kids finishing for the summer. Bring it on because I cannot wait! 

Also, escape room update?

We did escape and in record time – 43.33mins. So we’re pretty chuffed with that escape time. Next one we’re looking to do is called the Dreamhouse {were you’re trapped inside a little girls nightmare!} – bring it on, I cannot wait!

Until next week…