Happy Birthday Dad!

My folks flew in from interstate, on Friday. We caught up with my younger brother for dinner, as it was his birthday. Saturday we sat around watching Pride and Prejudice, the BBC (240 minute!) version! And Sunday was Dad's birthday.

There's a bit of a funny story regarding Dad's birthday. About 3 months ago, I was flicking through my calendar in the months ahead. "OOOoooo! Dad's 60 this year! I'd better organise something!" So I checked flights/accomodation/car hire etc, for all four of us, to go "surprise" visit them. It came in close to $5k, which was about $4k more than I really wanted to spend!!! So, it occured to me, it would be a lot cheaper, and more practical to pay for them to come here!!! So I contacted their boss, and asked if he could have the time off for his 60th, I was going to surprise them with flights, and throw a surprise party on his birthday. The boss agreed, that would be great. So I went straight online, and booked two return flights for them. I emailed one of my brothers (also interstate) and told him what I'd done, and asked if they could come over for the weekend of Dad's birthday. He wasn't sure. He'd just started a new job, and all. In the background my sister-in-law is saying "Isn't he 59?" I said, No! He's 60! I asked T, and he said, maybe check our employee records, coz Dad used to work for us! So I did. He's 59!!!! OH NO!!! I've booked the flights, started planning a surprise party!!!

I sent the flight itinerary to Dad on Fathers Day, with a Happy Birthday message too! He was very surprised and they were very grateful! I decided to go ahead with the party, this is what i wrote on the invitations:
"The flights are booked and paid for, so we're having a Surprise 60th party! He will be very surprised, because he's only 59!!!"


Alot of people were away this weekend, so only about 18 people were able to come. But it was just perfect. Dad was rapt. I put the number 59 & 60 candles on his cake, he was a bit confused, he just thought everyone was there for his (59th) birthday! I proceeded to explain to everyone, (including Dad - he had no idea, about my mistake!) the whole story!



I'm such an idiot sometimes!!! Thankfully a good time was had by all - and Dad thought it was hilarious!

So Happy 59th (and 60th - coz I'm not buying tickets for you next year!!!) Dad!!! (he has nuts in his mouth... hence the funny smile!!!)

3 Generations of Girls! Good grief I'm looking like my Mother more everyday!!!

(H took this photo! Not a bad effort from a 5 year old?!!! Although this was about the 6th attempt to get all our heads in, all smiling, and no-one blinking!!!)