We have just spent a wonderful weekend with our children celebrating Riley’s first birthday. Other than Christmas this has been the first time this year that we have had everyone together in the one place.
Our week started with more exercises with the physio and she offered some advice for Jill on getting into the Jeep and with practice it is improving. Speech therapy on Wednesday – Jill’s speech varies from day to day, sometimes she is very quiet and croaky. We were supposed to pick up the van on Wednesday with the new gear fitted but they were having trouble getting it to operate. By Friday I was thinking that we would only go down on Sunday for the party. However after several phone calls it turned out that a wire on the printed circuit was missing and when fitted everything worked and after some quick loading we left home around 4pm. Lots of traffic on the Freeway and about Seymour it started to rain and of course we drove the last 40k in the dark. I said to Jill this is the last time I drive – towing the caravan in the dark.
This was all forgotten when we were greeted by Riley and Nicole. Riley’s other Grandmother and Grandfather (Marg & Pete) were already there. The next day Saturday was spent with Riley while Nicole, Marg, Chris and Peter prepared for the party, cakes, sandwiches etc. Riley’s great, great aunty Jean (92) had made an elephant party cake and a gluten free sponge for Nicole. Nicole, Marg and Chris produced a birthday cake in the shape of number one. By the time the guests left there was no cake to be seen.
Sunday and the party was here and Riley was all smiles. I think the excitement was infectious as he made all of us smile and laugh. He coped with all the attention from the guests as they arrived and just loved having the other kids there. It was relaxing once the party was over and we could all settle down to a normal routine. Riley now has enough toys to last for another year.
We packed up and left late on Monday morning and took our time heading home (in the day light). The new ULV hoist had been fantastic, but still a few things to be fixed around the van before we make the next trip – Hervey Bay in July. We were greeted at the front door by Jessie and it is obvious that she misses us as she then won’t let us out of her sight, bedroom, toilet, shower and where ever else we go. I’m not sure how she will survive the 4 weeks we are away in July.
Only had the speech therapist this week so gave us a chance to unwind, Next week will be busy with two lots of physio as well as speech.
Macca is almost finished and Jill will want to get into the shower so we will see you on the net