Tuesday 14 July 2009

mixed emotions...

Today would have been my dad's 69th birthday..

We had some fun holidays, camping when we were young, then when my kids were small we bought a caravan and used to holiday with mum and dad and my sister and family in their caravans...

Then in 2000, we started holidaying aboard, starting with a big family holiday in Orlando, in 2003 when Sam left school we went for a 3 week holiday to Orlando (swam with dolphins and did a helicopter ride), then we flew onto San Francisco, as I wanted to see and go across the Golden Gate Bridge and hubby and dad wanted to see Alcatraz... from there we flew onto Hawaii, where we we did a few split up's.... while we visited Pearl Harbour, (where Sam wanted to visit), mum and dad looked after Steven as we felt Pearl Harbour was not a place for him.... then another day mum, dad and hubby did the whole Island tour, but we felt it was little too long for the children (it was over 9 hours) so we did a little 4 hour one... Oh yes and saw the beach where Elvis filmed 'Blue Hawaii' one of my favourite films....

As that day was my dad's birthday, we thought we would surprise him with a birthday cake when they got back, but would you believe it, they don't do cakes in Hawaii.... so for a joke we put candles (good job I remember to pack them) in a pineapple as it was one of the places dad had wanted to visit, which he did as the dole pineapple plantation was on the 9 hour tour....

Thought I would share the photo I took of my dad, blowing out the candles, that just wouldn't go out (nearly set off the smoke detector)...



It still brings a big smile to my face remembering him blowing and blowing, and wondering why they just kept relighting, in between fits of laughter, I eventually told him they were trick ones and the only way they would go out was being submerged in water, lol..

oh yes..... and here's a photo of Steven looking at the pineapple afterwards and wondering how you on earth you eat this type of cake, lol...




On the upside, today was Steven's sports day and he was in the yellow team, (just in case you didn't get the hint, as wearing a yellow t/shirt, lol)...

Anyway I'm proud to say he won 1st place in the matching the coloured beanbags to the matching coloured hoops, so well done Steven.....




also I gave my 37th pint of blood today, wasn't going to do it, as I'd forgot to make an appointment the last time I gave it back in March, and as I've said before had always given it with my dad... Which I'm very proud to say had given 109 pints before he had to stop, and that wasn't counting the ones he gave while in the Army at 18, he never missed a donation....

So I thought I had better not either, so I went along to the session after seeing Steven at he's sports day, on the off chance they could fit me in, and they did....

... and this time I remembered to make another appointment, so my 38th is due on the 10th November, so could someone please remind me nearer the time, lol...

17 comments:

DGgirl said...

Hi Maria

What a lovely post. Thank you so much for sharing it - I'm sure it wasn't easy.

I loved seeing the photos of your precious dad and what a fab holiday took back on with such brilliant memories for you all.

Big congratulations to Steven on his wins today - sending him big huggy sparkles as I think I remember he's not that keen on the real thing.

Hugs to you all on this special day.

Gillx

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks gill, steven loves a morning hug, but very rare through the day though, lol...xx

Anonymous said...

Love the pineapple cake thats brilliant

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks sall...xx

Susan said...

I think your Dad would have been pleased you donated blood on his birthday,you are giving someone a special present doing it, well done.
Also big well done to Steven, give him a kiss from me.x.
I'm never going to Hawaii if they don't have birthday cake!

Hi it's Maria said...

never thought of it that way before susan, thanks...

...and LOL about the cake and Hawaii...xx

sue-bubbles said...

Wonderful photos and lovely memories Maria, as Gill says, thank you so much for sharing.

Hey, get Steven with his lovely red ribbon (one you wont be snaffling for your stash Maria!!!). Congratulations on your win Steven!!!

And welldone you for giving blood Maria, you should feel very proud of yourself as Im sure your lovely Dad does!

Big hugs for you Maria at the end of your very busy and emotional day!
Sue x

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks sue....

and hands off stevens ribbon, lol...xx

Sue C said...

Thank you for sharing this - I hope it has helped you a little. Enjoy your lovely memories, your Dad would be proud xx

SusieJ said...

A wonderful post Maria.
I know it's hard but it's good to remember happy memories (my Mum died 7 yrs ago this week).
Well done to Steven!
A virtual hug from me too for him!
Sparkles and hugs to you too.
Sue xx

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks sue c

and thanks sue, sorry to hear about your mum and hope I didn't bring up un-wanted memories...xx

dagbird2001 said...

what a lovely post maria, i do hope you felt a bitbetter mentioning him on his special day. also well dont for giving blood.

big congrats for steven too, you must be so pleased.

xx

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks tracy...xx

jan said...

Hi Maria, lovely and thanks for sharing with us your lovely Dad and memories, also Steven on his prom and wins too, Jan x

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks jan...xx

Anonymous said...

what a gorgeous photo of your dad, and stevens face with the pineapple.
well done on giving blood, im sure you would have felt your proud dad smiling down at you.
lots and lots of sparkles for you.
gina xxxxx

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks gina...xx