Mom arrived Wednesday, it was pouring with rain when I pulled into the airport and glorious sunshine when we left; she certainly has brought the weather with her. Thursday we did school run to collect Amelia as both Karl and Nadine were working. Dinner at a local pub that evening when my Aunt and cousin walked in with my siblings ; they'd come as a surprise for mom - she had no clue and her face was a picture.
Friday morning I collected my other brother Klaus from Gatwick. He, aunt and mom spent the day at mine whilst the rest of them headed into London. BBQ at Karl and Nadine's that evening. They're having an extension put on so we put plastic sheeting over the window openings; put up fairy lights, had electric patio heaters on the go and all in all just absolutely perfect space for us all. Lots of tarpaulin and rugs on the floor to keep the dirt contained. Needless to say, with 13 of us it was rather loud but such such fun. Saturday mom's actual birthday - dropped her off at Karl's where one of my nieces was to surprise her; she'd flown over from Australia, so lots of tears from mom and Claudia. Nadine, my sister Anne and I headed to the restaurant to decorate. I'd asked people to send over lots of photo's they had of mom from younger days and printed them off and cut them out and scattered them on the table - lots of memories to revisit.. Then final birthday surprise for mom was a card from Lisa (my oldest niece) witha photo of a baby scan - Lisa is now 3 months pregnant and in November my mom will be a great-grand mother - cue more tears! Back to Karl and Nadine's for the evening and more (lots of) noise and fun and all round smiley faces.
Yesterday Anne and Harald headed off first - they decided to train it all the way from South Germany to here and back. Apparently really good fun and they highly recommend it
. Aunt, mom and Klaus again at mine whilst the rest went to Wisley Gardens. Karl then took them all to Heathrow and later that evening mom and I took Klaus to Gatwick - and with that a most superb four days of celebrations came to an end. But such such such fun. We're lucky that we all get on so well and it was just laughter and smiles from start to finish. I'd love to rewind and do it all again
xxxx
