What an amazing weekend!

I'm just coming down from the high that has lasted all weekend. On Friday, my sister SR arrived from Paris, as planned, to help me celebrate my one-year anniversary and birthday in style. Then, Saturday morning my nieces arrived from Manchester, bringing with them their partners and their dad, my big brother Jer. Even though SR let the cat out of the bag minutes before he arrived I was still astounded because I was sure he couldn't come. 

My nieces helped me finish cutting out the words and shapes I wanted to decorate the hall with...

 

As you can see, the sun was out and helping to make the day even more special.  After lunch we went over the road to hang the words from the ceiling in the hall of the Community Centre, and when I said "I really need to take a picture" SR said "I'll go and get my camera". She rushed off, and a few minutes later she came back.... followed by not one, not two, but ALL FIVE of my other siblings, who had all made the journey from all over France just to be there.  All I know is I shrieked a lot as each one came into the room!  My sister Caro was filming it all and I can't wait to see the video.  What a surprise - I'm still grinning from ear to ear as I type this.  The best thing is, later on we realised that it was the first time we had all been in one place in the UK since 1971, when we moved to France. Quite literally, I was blown away to know they'd all been scheming to set this up without my knowledge.  Every day I give thanks for being blessed with such an amazing family. I'm just sad my mum wasn't able to come over from Normandy, but since her stroke she doesn't want to travel, and I understand that. 

So, this is what the room looked like during the party, with the words hanging from the ceiling: 

 

Vanessa, who runs the centre, is so taken with them that we've left them up for the time being. I must admit, they look brilliant, but I can't claim it was all my idea. I saw something similar on someone's blog at Christmas and thought it looked fantastic.   I also got the next idea from the internet: I cut out lots of butterfly shapes, in different sizes, and asked guests to write something on them; we then used repositionable sticky dots to put them up on the wall, and I've brought them home to keep;

One of the girls from my scrapbooking forum heard about the butterfly idea and sent me the sparkly ones, which I think set them off perfectly; and one of my sisters gave me the French "happy birthday" banner. When I have had enough of them coming unstuck and floating to the floor I shall put them in an album, probably with all my birthday cards. The words people have written are very special and heartwarming and I want to keep them as a reminder of what a perfect time I had.

Little Alex was one of the star guests at the party, in his darling little waistcoat. My niece and her husband seemed particularly taken with him. Hmmm, I wonder how long we'll have to wait for the next generation?!

Alex behaved perfectly, and even when he was ready for his feed, he just chewed on his hand (and my cheek) until his bottle was ready. He is such a poppet!

I even had to blow out about a million candles.... presented to me by the boyf:

Ok, so apparently there were only 30-something candles there, but boy, the heat coming off them was fierce.

All in all, I had the most wonderful evening, full of laughs and hugs and smiles. 

The next day was my birthday proper, so everyone except my brother (who'd had to go back home) came along and we had carrot cake and champagne for tea, after a lunch of party leftovers. We also watched old home movie footage that Jackie had brought along, especially footage of a previous family get-together when the kids were small and my dad was still alive. It definitely brought a tear to my eyes. So precious. 

Yesterday we had an early lunch and bid farewell to the rest of the family, except SR who left today. It has been the most marvellous way to spend a birthday and to celebrate the second chance that I've been given, and I will never, ever take my life for granted. 

I'll leave you with one final picture - Claire did my make-up for the party, and took this picture of me looking rather happy, don't you think?!

 

Comments

[liz d]

I am so pleased you had a fabulous time, I had every intention of attending but the battles I have been having with Mum in hospital and the total lack of facilities has over whelmed the whole of my life, I am afraid Saturday was a right off.
xxxxx

[Charlotte]

Wow Jen, you look fantastic! What a fabulous day :) xxx

[Suzanne]

Jen what an absolutely wonderful way to spend such a special day. I'm thrilled for you that you had so many of your close relatives with you. xxx's

[chrissie]

I am delighted to see that you had a wonderful Bdy. I hope that it makes up for the one you missed last year. I am so so sorry that I could not be there. I also love the picture of the grown ups all lined up on the floor, just like the one you had when you were children. See... I remember!. At any rate...Gros bisous. Love always. Moi

[Maria]

Awesome way to celebrate my friend!! Happy belated birthday from California!!! HUGS!!

[Maria]

Wow, Jen, you are looking amazing.

So pleased that your family could be with your for your special celebration.

Happy Wednesday xxx

[Caro]

It was just fabulous, I enjoyed every minute of it, Jen. We were all SO pleased the surprise was complete ;-)
Hugs and kisses xoxo
Caro

[SR]

yes! It was amazing!!
...and so nice to meet your friends :)

[jml]

It was a great party & the surprise was a total success!! I had a wonderful time & really enjoyed meeting your friends too. Thanks again to all involved. We MUST do this more often.

[Kelley Smith]

Jen, it looks like you had a fab party!
I love the wording hanging from the ceiling! And the butterflies are a lovely idea too ;)
I am glad you had such a fab birthday party! Very much needed and very much deserved after last year x x x