Happy Birthday Calum!

Paul and Calum

Calum with his handmade birthday card

Calum in Comicana

Calum in Bertorellis

Calum in Trafalgar Square

Calum is 17 today. It makes me feel old being the mother of a 17 year old - where did the time go?

We've been celebrating Calum's birthday since the weekend. Here's what we've been up to.

Sunday
A family trip to London to visit the National Portrait Gallery - Calum's choice.

Calum is studying portraiture and photography as part of his Art A level so it's really useful. The pictures at the gallery never fail to impress.

I love Mario Testino's black and white portrait of Princess Diana. She looks so natural and happy.

I also love the shots of black British women in music. My favourite one is of Sade. I saw her live in London and she was fabulous with a voice as smooth as silk.

We treat ourselves to lunch at the new Bertorellis in Covent Garden. We all have pizzas - delicious.

Later we go to Forbidden Planet and then spend hours in two excellent comic book shops - Gosh and Comicana. Calum is in comic heaven and spends £60!

Monday
Calum's godfather, Paul, makes a surprise visit. Calum is thrilled.

He gives Calum a huge book about the history of Marvel comics. He couldn't have got anything better.

Tuesday
We open Calum's presents and cards before he goes to school. He loves everything but his favourite is the Star Wars t-shirt he saw in a shop window that I went back and got for him.

He absolutely loves the birthday card Joe has made him.

It has the Forbidden Planet logo on the front and a picture of Captain America on the inside.

Joe says Calum is getting too old for handmade cards - Calum disagrees!

I'm cooking Calum lasagne for his dinner plus his favourite pudding.

Hopefully, we'll still have room for birthday cake later.

Happy Birthday Calum!