Thanks to all of you who left caring, understanding, helpful, and humorous responses to my white flag last Friday. You are all great ladies.
At this point the London Recap is hanging over me like a midterm paper that I have put off writing - and I was really excited to share this trip with all of you so here goes.
We took the night flight and BA provides cots for little ones on the walls - this works very well and he liked it - but if anyone is ever traveling with a little one on such a long journey- let me know- I def learned- ALOT... Here is the cute little one all set......
We arrived to be greeted by BEV! Who we love so much and she is always there to greet us when we arrive, but this trip was the most special because she was waiting to meet Jack. Bev was Michaels nanny from age 5 on and still works for the family- she is like family and my husband loves her dearly.
The house was in full party set up mode all week and when we arrived the tent was going in as well as the dancefloor and lighting and decor and deliveries were coming in- my favorite sight was the wine and champagne delivery!
The actual birthday was Friday morning, the day after we arrived. Bev came over and made us all a special breakfast and we presented Pappy with his special gift- gold Tiffany cufflinks with his initials DMMD and 1942 on one and DMMD 2007 on the other to wear to his party.
3 Generations at the Breakfast Table on the Birthday morning, Pappy, Daddy, and Jack!
Friday afternoon we went over to my mother in laws house in Hampsted. She is recently remarried and has not met jack yet because her new husband suffered a horrible stroke. Thankfully he is doing much better and they are getting around a bit which is fantastic.
We walked to a great pub called the Queens by Primrose Hill park and then after a nice afternoon class of wine went over to Limonia for lunch.
A little jet lag kicks in at lunch time......
Friday evening we returned to my father in laws house where his girlfriend, Maeve was running around frantically with all sorts of last minute party details and table rearraging with a few cancellations, etc. We ordered a fish and chips take out that was out of this world and cracked open a few of the wines for the party to make sure they were ok. I stuffed the 150 menus into the menu jackets and the floris arranged flowers with Maeve. We waited up for a great friend of my Father in laws from Boston and his lovely girlfriend. This gentlemen is one of his best friends in the world and they met at Harvard Business School and have been dear friends since. He has been at so many things for us my 30th birthday, our wedding we spent Christmas together 2 years ago- and he is like family as well. It was so fun to just sit around and drink wine and get ready for the party together.
Saturday we went back to Hampstead for a lunch at mother in laws with Bev, Sister in Law and husband and their 2 children William and Lara. Lara is one week older than Jack and half his size- ( because Jack is a giant)- it was so fun to meet her and see how much William had grown- we had a great lunch and walk over to Primrose Hill Park- ( common hot spot for celebrities walking in Us Weekly and other favorite world news sources of mine).
No Jude, or Sienna, or Gwyneth- but lots of fun at the tot lot-
William and I in the sandbox at Primrose Hill Park.
Me with my new little neice Lara and Jack.
Tune in tomorrow when I will do the party and all of the amazing details of the Evening at the Opera 65th Birthday
Here is a peek into the tent from the house...
In other news- the dishwasher that was installed on Friday is flooding and we are waiting to have someone come back so lots of washing by hand. The kitchen TV no longer works and we are trying to figure out why, only one side of the stove works- much more on the agenda this week and Tres Poshe Preppy's excellend advice of my new mantra- end result end result end result is keeping me going. Winter with a nice cozy working kitchen is essential in Chicago- yes?
Have a great day everyone!
Anne