48 Birthdays...9 in Heaven

Last week would've been Aaron's 48th birthday.  I used to love it when it was his birthday, as it made it sound like he was 2 years older than me, rather than 18 months older, and I could tease him about what an old man he was, compared to me. 

He's definitely having the last laugh now, since he only got to celebrate 39 birthdays, which makes me much older than him now. 

I love getting Pepsi photos from friends, family and  people I've 'met' on social media on his birthday.  It means so much that people have taken the time to have a Pepsi to remember him and celebrate his birthday, and to send them to us. 

During the last week of school, Harri went ten pin bowling, and asked me afterwards if we could go bowling in the holidays as a family, as he had so much fun. 

When Aaron was the prefect co-ordinator at school, he used to take them bowling at the end of the year. and the prefects of 2010 actually bought him a bowling ball as a farewell/thank you gift and got it engraved.  I asked the boys what they thought about going bowling on Aaron's birthday, and taking the ball and making sure we all used it for at least one frame. They thought it was a great idea, and were excited to go.  

There were lots of laughs (mostly about how  terrible Kobe and I were).  

Afterwards we had fun playing some of the games.  

Usually we have a BBQ tea and play at Punchbowl on Aaron's birthday, but it was a day that Simone was working, so I knew she wouldn't be able to get into town till late.  She's such a beautiful friend. She's so busy in her own life with 6 kids, work and full time Uni, but there's never any doubt that she'd drop anything and everything to come in and remember Aaron's birthday with us.  It means so much to have a good friend like her, because as time goes on it seems like a lot of people forget that it's still hard every day. 

Instead of going to Punchbowl, the boys thought we should go to Aaron's favourite restaurant - Maccas :)  Aaron would've loved that we all had to choose one of his favourite burgers (a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder) and Kobe even put his fries in his burger, just like Aaron would've. 

After tea we met Simone and the kids (Simon was at work), plus Jess' kids (who Simone was looking after) at the cemetery.  

 

It was so windy, but it wasn't too cold.  

After the cemetery I dragged the (big) boys out to see the Christmas lights.  Kobe was super keen to go, but the other two not so much. They're always great at humouring me, and couldn't really complain since it was Aaron's birthday ;)   If you follow me on Insta, you would've seen some funny videos of them saying (sarcastically) how much they loved the Christmas lights :)

We weren't able to get a photo with our lovely Santa this year, because of Covid restrictions, so we did the next best thing and took a photo that night with the tree in the mall. 

We had cake when we got home.  Despite wishing Aaron was actually here to celebrate his birthday with, we actually had a really fun day together.  The boys are great at making a big effort, to spend the whole day together as a family.  

My favourite part of the day was driving around in the car, all singing Aaron's favourite songs together (usually by Oasis or the Beatles).  I'm sure Aaron would've loved everything we did, and would be loving that everyone was having a Pepsi for him.