Daughter's 40th

[Gemini]

My 2nd daughter will be 40 next month.
She is the organising spirit in our family. She arranges such lovely things for all of us.
She and 2 friends are having a short break in Majorca as part of her celebrations, and she and SIL will go to New York later in the year to celebrate her 40th and their 10th wedding anniversary (they got engaged there)

I want to have family celebration for her too.
As I say, she would be the one doing all the organising but it is her turn this time
As I shall be going on holiday next Sunday and returning only a week before her birthday I wanted to get the ball rolling.
I created a family group for us to discuss and plan, and things are coming along
I am having a cake made for her, as I did for her sister when she was 40.
DD's dad and wife are having it at their house, and we will all share the catering. I will give DD's dad childhood photos and he will create a video, as he did for her sister.
We are hoping to have an afternoon tea/garden party with the option of being in the house if wet. I would happily host it here but they have slightly more room at theirs (and we do all the childcare and they don't, so they can do this )
I hope we do her proud and make her happy, as she cares for all of us so well.

[Plantaholic]

Sounds like a lovely 40th birthday being planned Gemini

[Nanto2girls]

Gem, sounds like it will be a lovely celebration.

[Qwerty]

Sounds a grand celebration Gem, it’s our DDs next year may take some tips from your do

[Nana]

"I hope we do her proud and make her happy, as she cares for all of us so well". By Gem.

I'm sure you will Gem. She probably got her organisational skills from her mum anyway.

[Gemini]

Aww, Nana, what a nice thing to say

[Daisy]

Gem, of course you will do her proud! It's quite a milestone to celebrate so she definitely deserves to feel special.

[Gemini]

DD2's party day was yesterday, from mid afternoon.
DD's dad and OH hosted and we all planned together for the food decorations etc.
We told here that there was something happening that day, and I told her it was to be at her dads, as she was getting anxious not knowing, which is understandable when you have a 2 year old!
It was lovely, a really happy and chilled family day, which is what DD wanted. Most of it was a surprise. It was an afternoon tea type garden party. She loved it, which was our aim We based the theme on blue, stars and silver, all of which she loves (Hmm, I wonder who she takes after ??! )

DD3 phoned us on video call, which was lovely, although did remind us all how we miss her at these events. Both her nephews were kissing the phone (Her niece going on 9 is too cool for phone kissing )
Football was on in the house during the match, and those who wanted could watch. We had a small core of die hards who wanted to watch it all, a few who wandered in every so often and shouted in for the score, and several of us who didn't take any interest I didn't care who won, but seeing how happy it made others I was of course glad that England did win!
We had a big paddling pool out for the kids, under shade, and they were in and out of that all afternoon. No one left until mid evening, and OH and I actually stayed chatting to my ex and his OH until 11.30!! We love our blended family, and know we are so very lucky.
SIL and DD are doing something during the day on her birthday on Tuesday, but no one knows what!
She had the Majorca holiday with 2 friends, and is doing something with her 3 best friends next weekend, so she is spreading out her celebrations

[Oma]

Sounds a really good day Gem lovely you all blend together one happy extended family

[Daisy]

Gem, I think you've got a wonderful, loving family and that is such a precious thing. And what better way to celebrate DD2's 40th than all being together on a perfect summer's afternoon, with even a call from absent DD3 to make it complete.

[Gemini]

Thanks

Ex husbands wife and I had a very long chat that day about how when we tell people about our family, some people give us the idea that either it is a bit odd that we all get on, or they maybe think we are exaggerating, making things sound better than they are!
We all genuinely get on well, and any one us would be there any time for any of the others. She feels blessed to be part of our family, and I know my OH does too.

[Glammanana]

Gems what a great relationship to have,you certainly had a really good time it is the time for birthdays in our house too DD was 47 this week and she had the week off work to celebrate
Later in the month is dils birthday and ds1 is taking her to Paris for 5 days where he proposed.
DGSs partner (who has just had baby boy) also celebrates her birthday at end of month so we like you are busy on the birthday scene.

[Oma]

Its like people think its strange that my SIL's parents are our best friends as not many in laws tend to mingle unless its family gatherings
It works for some people but not others I suppose

[Nana]

I'm pleased that your DD enjoyed her day & that you all had a good family time.