You know you are over the hill when...

This morning church didn't start until 9 o'clock which gave us a bit longer than usual to have breakfast and get ready for our 60 km trip into town. I was feeling pretty happy that we were going to be early (a rare thing I'm sorry to admit).

Today was special because the Sunday School conducted the whole service and the children did one of the most entertaining Christmas pantomimes that we have ever seen. We got home in time for Mr Sunshine to attend a six year old's birthday party. You can't say 'no' to special invitations like that from your adoring public year one students.

All in all I thought things had been coasting along pretty well until Mr Sunshine asked me if I noticed anything different about him. I looked carefully at his face, but no, he hadn't forgotten to shave or plucked his eyebrows. He suggested I look lower. I was expecting a busted fly zipper or a food stain down his shirt. Suddenly I saw IT and it was nothing like what I was expecting. I couldn't stop laughing. As far as we know, no one at church even noticed. I didn't and my handbag was on the floor next to his feet. I'm wondering who will be more embarrassed -- Mr Sunshine or his children.

 

This is what happens when you are over the hill. Mr Sunshine turned 60 only two weeks ago. It doesn't take long for the rot to set in.



Stealing his thunder

It was Mr Sunshine's birthday recently, so we all met up at Romeo and Juliet's place to have tea together and celebrate. After a delightful dinner (where, as usual, I forgot to put some of the food out and found the potato salad and coleslaw still untouched in their containers as we were packing up) it was time for THE CAKE - a rich choc mousse concoction from Cakes on Carthew. The grandkids all gathered around to sing Happy Birthday to Grandad and for a happy family photo.  Just as the song ended and Mr Sunshine got ready to blow out his candle, Lion gave in to a tempting impulse and beat him to it.

I love the look on Mr Sunshine's face. How did I capture the split second instant as the flame flickered before it snuffed out? I'm glad you asked because the timing is entirely due to my great knowledge and skill as a photographer really, really good luck.

Poor Mr Sunshine - all puffed up and nowhere to blow.

It wasn't all bad

Click on image to enlarge
After the Episode of the Disappointing Icecream (see yesterday's post), Lion soon cheered up and put it behind him. First, he and Dragon chased each other all over the lovely, big, grassy area. I would have been a bit more relaxed if it wasn't for the humongous trucks on the highway about 20 meters away. You know how quickly little boy legs can cover that distance and how quickly they can forget to not go near the road, especially when they are getting excited and having fun.
Anyway we managed to keep them from getting flattened. The BIG thrill was the Mimosa pudica, a delightfully fascinating little weed that suddenly folds up its leaves when they are touched. Little boys love 'teasing' it, even big boys like Mr Sunshine love to 'tease' it.
It's actually a noxious weed with nasty, needley, little spines that go right through some soles. It's most common, common name is sensitive plant because of the leaves' sensitivity. In reality it is not sensitive enough. It is almost impossible to kill.