Last Days as a 30 Year Old Something

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!  

About 40 years ago...Cina was born...or so the records say and so on the 13th of December...earlier than she expected we had a wonderful SURPRISE Birthday party for her.  It started about 3 months ago in the planning and it only took one date change to make sure that all possible folks could be there.  We had both literal family and extended family.  It was one of the best nights in the world.  Robyn and Linda picked us up at 6 PM and then we drove to FarMors so that we could kill some time.

MorFar Gunnar and the big kids needed time to get dressed in their Sunday best, having put on PJs to fake mom out.  They also needed time to drive JoJo and Erik to some friends who were going to babysit.

We first had to buy gas, then to FarMors and then we got lost on the way to the restuarant.  We got there at 10 after 7.  We were greeted by the owner and he showed us to our table.

The week before, Cina and Linda were talking and Cina wondered if I had reserved a table for our dinner of '4' and Linda told him I think so...John is good.  Cina didn't believe it and so she called to make sure I had a table.  I told her I would call around and get one.  I did have a table already...but I told Cina the next day when she came home from Stockholm that I got the last table available at Montemarte in KKrona.  7 PM was our reservation but we had to be done by 830 since they were so busy.

MorMor had already convinced Cina that there was no way to do anything between now and her Birthday since Cina is in school.  I was gone for a month to Brasil and Stockholm and more.  So when I picked her up at the airport...I told her I had tried and tried to organize something but no such luck and was it okay if we waited till the new year.  That would prevent her from turning 40 so early.  She agreed.

Well, on Saturday, since it was Lucia Dag we went to MorMors to do Lucia for her and Ake.  Then Cina wanted to go out to Anderssons and Emilie told her no...and then she stopped my car with Erik and I told her yes...and then nope...they are too tired...we can't do that to them...etc.  The reason was is that all of the kids and their spouses were down in KKrona already.

We then didn't go to Helena's either...Eva's mom.  Cina was mad at us at that point and so we went home to do Lucia to MorFar.  Then...I started to insist that we clean and stuff before Cina went to school at 2 PM.  Cina wanted to go to town and buy gifts and such...but I was afraid we would run into the Andersson clan and more.

So we cleaned and slept and did other things.  I then took Cina to school at 2 PM and was to pick her up at 5 PM.  She said...oh...call Robyn and Linda and tell them we will meet them at the restaurant...and I told her no...I wanted to ride in their BMW.  Cina wanted to go direct in so we could check into the hotel we were staying in for the night after the dinner.  

Before leaving for school she asked if she could wear the nice pants and top she had on and I told her I thought it would be best in a dress...and she said...nah...I am going in this.  Linda then did her last bit of magic before leaving our house and called Cina about 3 PM and indicated that since it was Lucia Dagen and more that she was going to wear a dress and wanted Cina to have a dress on too so that she didn't feel so lonely in having a dress.

I picked Cina up at 5PM ... okay 515 by Cina standards and we got back to the house...and the little kids were eating whilst the big kids pretended to have eaten.  All were showered, much thanks to Cina for helping during the morning with that part without knowing, and Robyn and Linda showed up at 6 PM.  We left our house...did those errands and poof...arrived at the restaurant.

We were greeted by the owner...a family friend...he winked at me and showed us to our table after some pleansantries.  As we started to walk in...Cina recognized a couple of the people and then as she stood in the doorway and all stood and sung...she was amazed.  Hans took the great shot of her as she watched all singing.

We had a great dinner...dessert and more.  Emilie then went to the house in town to be with our little ones in case they wakened during the night.  We went to Anderssons with the gang for a bit and then at midnight...got a phone call that Erik was throwing up.  Off to the races...so much for our hotel room...so much for a night away.....but the party was great...the company was great and there is no forgetting this 40th birthday party...where the 3 Muskateeretes' (Sanna, Eva and Cina) who all turned 40 during the year....and all of our friends were gathered.

I think it will take another 40 years to pull something like this off.  By that time Cina will have forgotten what happened so long ago.