As the sun began to set, the true beauty of everything Mike had done in the garden truly began to come alive. He had placed a large chruch candle in the centre of the table and tiki torches lined the path from the house to the tent.

Sitting on one of the beanbags Kate watched as Mike stood at the barbeque finishing off dinner.

"Mummy" Grace bounded up to Kate "i am hungry" she moaned

"Dinner shouldn't be too long" Kate smiled walking over to Mike. Resting her chin on his shoulder she smiled "how long is it going to be?" she asked

"few minutes. I just want to make sure they are cooked through. The potatoes should be done though." he said as she lifted the foil packets out of the flames.

Setting the table Kate smiled at the plates mike had brought. They were a pale cream colour each with a different safari animal printed on to the centre of the plate.

"you know we could have used our mess tins" she grinned looking over at him.

"yeah I know but these are much prettier aren't they." he smiled as they all sat down. Handing everyone a burger. "so what film are we going to watch?" he asked

"Frozen" Grace looked up excitedly "please Frozen" she begged.

"no way that's a baby's film" Nicole piped up

"is not" Grace called over the table at her sister

"is too. Dad do we have to watch Frozen again"

"is not" Grace called again

"I think we should let your mum decide. It is her birthday after all" Mike smiled looking over at Kate.

"why thank you I am honoured" Kate grinned "i think we will watch..." she paused "Frozen and then I would love to watch Soul Surfer" she smiled pulling the DVD's out of the bag of bits she had brought out.

"yay" Grace jumped up and down excitedly

"only if you sit down and finish your dinner" Kate frowned

"owww" Grace flopped to the floor, picking at her potatoes before deciding that they were in fact alright and really nice.

Once they had all finished Mike turned to the children. "right who wants some popcorn for the films" he smiled

Shaking her head Kate ran her tongue across her teeth, she could see where this was going. She watched as he placed a lit tea light in front of them before handing them 2 foil cupcake cases with some corn cornels in side.

"right" he smiled catching Kates disapproving gaze. "what you need to do is hold those over the candle till the popcorn pops" he smiled.

"you are so mean" Kate whispered grinning at him.

"yeah but you love me for it." he said "and it's a bit of fun" he continued as he pulled out a bag of popcorn from box of food.

"can we just watch the film; they will get grumpy when they realise it doesn't work" Kate said looking at him

"spoil sport" Mike said pouring the popcorn into little cups.

Watching Frozen pleased Grace, no end even Nicole joined in singing along to the songs. Chris seemed happy enough pulling at the grass but did pay attention when Olaf appeared.

"S'mores time" Kate smiled pulling out the bag of marshmallows as the credits rolled. Placing a couple on a clean plate she added some chocolate biscuits which were easier than trying to sandwich a chunk of chocolate on as well as the marshmallow and in theory would be less messy.

They toasted the marshmallows in the fire-pit to add the authentic campfire taste as well. Turning Kate grinned as Mike had set his on fire

"Toasted enough for you" she smiled picking the little bit of sticky mallow of her finger as she sandwiched hers between two of the biscuits.

"perfect I like it well done" he grinned squishing it in between the 2 biscuits the molten mallow oozing everywhere "shall I put the second film on?" he asked

"yeah let me put Chris down" she smiled looking over at the 3-year-old who was fighting to keep his eyes open

Lifting him up she carefully carried him in to the tent tucking him up with his Thomas the tank engine blanket. She returned 10 minutes later shifting her beanbag closer to Mikes she watched as he pressed play.

Resting her head on Mikes shoulders Kate could feel her eyes getting heavier and begin to droop. The fire making her feel sleeper than she actually was. The film had finished and they were alone watching the last of the flames dance in the pit, the girls having gone to bed half way through the film.

Looking over Mike smiled as he watched Kate. "happy birthday" he whispered handing her long box shaped gift wrapped in my little pony paper.

"here's me thinking you had forgotten" she grinned. "Thank you" she smiled ripping the paper.

Lifting the lid on the box she saw a silver bracelet laid on the velvet pad. 5 of the links contained gems; one for each of their birthstones.

"Mike" she gasped "it's beautiful" she smiled leaning in to kiss him. "thank you"

"why don't we turn in" he whispered in to her ear.

"sounds like a plan" she grinned standing walking towards the tent. Turning she could see he was still sat on the beanbag. "you coming then?" she asked her eyes glinting in the moonlight.

Following her in he smiled, sitting on the air-bed next to her. "sorry about today" he whispered

"why" Kate asked looking at him

"because birthday in lockdown it can't have been the best of days and not exactly what I had planned" he said softly.

"it's fine, really. But what did you have planned?" she grinned

"well I had booked a few days away in Bali, right on the beach, private pool, spa. No kids. We can still go it will just be later in the year" he smiled

"I don't care. This has been the best birthday. I like it being the 5 of us all together. Besides Bali is over rated" she smiled.

so I have one more chapter on Kates Birthday camp out (I just had so much pop in to my head) also I have tried to make popcorn with a tea-light and it doesn't work. Also the film Soul surfer is a amazing film I watched it on a Girls brigade sleep over. and it is a true story and really inspirational.

hope you enjoy and please leave a review it really helps.

stay safe xx