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Grandad's Party

Blog: Norfolk Single Dad
Posted by: Eddie2sox Sunday 29th April 2007, 4:52pm
Last edited 29/04/2007 4:52pm by Eddie2sox

A huge family gathering, which was quite awesome

A surprise party was arranged for my dad's birthday this year, and it was GREAT! We all gathered at the ATC hut in Sleaford, and most of the family were there. Fantastic. Should I attempt a cast list? Probably not as I don't know or would get most names wrong.

So, me dad and mum were chauffeured into the car park by nephew Dean, and Dad emerged from the car waving to the adoring masses like a red carpet regular. There was a "Happy Birthday" banner stuck across the door, so Dad had to cut it with scissors in the official way! He headed up to the top table with me mum, and our Uncle Barry and Auntie Val (who still looks EXACTLY how she did 30 years ago when we used to gather at their house in Lincoln to play "Newmarket" at Christmas time).

Sam was a bit overawed by the sheer number of kids about the same age as him! Most of them have been in school for a year or two as well, and have gained more social behaviour than Sam, who sometimes found it a bit upsetting. Like when someone wouldn't klet him play with his football on his own. But Sam will get into school and gain the confidence to play with big groups of our family! He's only three after all, and he did join in most of the games, especially the "let's all sit on Cousin Chris' back" one. I think poor old Chris may be aching a bit today! Sam DID seem to be popular though, he is my rising star after all. When it was time to eat "The Feast" was uncovered......a Chinese takeaway for 200, or so it seemed....lovely! I arranged a few items on a Scooby-Doo plate for Sam, along with some rice....he didn't like the taste. He DID try it all though, what a good lad! I didn't like Chinese takeaway food until I was about 12, so it's not much of a surprise. So then I brought the "emergency" spaghetti bolognaise from the car and Sam tucked in heartily. He even shouted to Grandad at the top table to tell him what he was eating! I raided the buffet Chinese and piled up my plate, lovely!

Sam was REALLY sociable at this party, and was in and out (mainly out) playing with his relatives all the time. It were great to see him running round with the other nippers, I hope there are many more meetings like it in the coming years so they can grow up knowing each other. Sam did have a few crying moments, mainly because he's used to a VERY supervised and ordered nursery environment, but he did enjoy the whole thing a lot!

We gathered round to watch Grandad cut his birthday cake, and we all sang Happy Birthday, and the Grandad made a little speech which was curtailed when he seemed to be all emotional. Don't blame me Dad, I would too in the circumstances. Then it was time for photos. About 20 years ago there was a photo taken of ALL my Dad's grandchildren, and that picture was recreated yesterday. But with Sam in it as well, held by his Daddy, sorry if I ruined your pics. Sam was included as he's the latest, and probably last, addition to the Grandchildren. Then we had a "parents and children" photo, and then we had to do a runner. It was nearly half past seven, and there was a time limit (albeit a loose one) on Sam getting back to Mummy's.

I felt SO pissed off when we were leaving, and Sam was crying because he wanted to stay and play with his newest friends. VERY depressing. It's tragic that the way MY life has panned out is affecting Sam's life, this was a really good, or bad, example. So we were both pretty fed-up and upset. I carried Sam back into the hut to say goodbye, and he yelled it at top volume.....I don't think either of us were prepared for the barrage of "Bye Bye Sam"s that came back.....everyone in the room must have shouted it. *pause.....getting a bit emotional*.......so then we got back in the car together. I was on the verge of crying, how gay! So I asked Sam what he wanted to listen to in the car. Sam said "The View" so we turned the volume up and headed homeward. I was soooooo sad to be leaving before the end of the party, but circumstances mean we have to......

I had put my photo albums in the car to show people at the party - but forgot! However, on the drive back, Sam asked to have a look at them. We had a nice time, Sam laughing at some photos (him with his head in the washing machine in particular), asking lots of questions about some, and getting honest answers. He saw some photos of Tim The Cat, who is still alive at Mummy's house, with another cat. I had to explain that the other cat was called Tawnie and was Tim's mummy, but she had been very poorly and was in heaven. Sam cried. For Tawnie, a cat he'd never even seen. He said "I want Tawnie to be here now". What can you say? I just reassured Sam that Tawnie was now very happy living in cat heaven and catching 10 mice every day.

Sam had such fun looking at the pictures. I am so glad I've been taking so many photos of him and me, it will be a beautiful record of his childhood. He looked through the album twice, and cried again when he saw the pictures of Tawnie. So we had a lively and mainly happy drive back to King's Lynn. Eventually we arrived outside mummy's house. We had a lovely last cuddle then Sam walked into the house crying.

Fantastic party. Loads of leftover food, I wish I'd smuggled a few cartons into me boot! Happy-ish drive home.

When me and Sam have our best days together are the worst times to take him back there. Last night was THE worst time for a very long time.....(pic is the first High Five me and Sam ever did).

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