Squiffany, my eldest grandchild, is 11 today. Imagine all the platitudes, so that I can resist the temptation to say them. I called over this morning to give her her present – I don’t usually drop in unannounced but I took the precaution, in case they were out, of taking a bin liner and a ball of string, so that I could lower the parcel over their back garden gate and put a note through the door.
It was quite a large parcel and my birthday wrapping paper roll turned out to be not up to it. So I used Christmas paper instead.
They were in, so I stayed for a chat. Squiffany had had her birthday party yesterday and it sounded brilliant. Al and Dilly are very imaginative and they’d gone to a load of trouble. It had a Hunger Games theme (all the girls love the books and films) and they’d had them make shelters (foil survival blankets are two for £1 at Poundland and canes are £1 for a bundle), had little bottles of various ointments and medicines, had pictures of food to shoot (this was not animals and they used darts; it entitled them to their tea) and had a treasure hunt and various ‘ordeals’ and competitions. The children had a great time and so, I suspect, did Al and Dilly; as much in the planning as at the party.
This afternoon, I helped with the children’s crafts at the Palm Sunday bash at the church – an hour of making things, then a service, then sausages and cake for tea. There were two donkeys, which gave children rides outside first, then carried a girl who played Jesus into the church. The donkeys had already been to St Paul’s and Southend today, which puzzled me slightly, I’m not sure why Norfolk donkeys were booked to go that far, but never mind. One of the ‘crafts’, organised by the Rector’s wife, was making “donkey droppings” (i.e. chocolate truffles).
Tomorrow, a governors’ meeting. After that, there are only two to go – a number of committee meetings in addition, I haven’t counted them up – but I’ll count them down.
After that trek, I’d imagine the donkeys could have managed by themselves, and saved the Rector’s wife the trouble.
Oh darling, I didn’t make myself clear – the donkeys didn’t have to walk the whole way. But I wouldn’t be surprised if some relief were involved during the day. Not in the church, fortunately.
I’m currently reading the third book in the trilogy – and I’m somewhat surprised that 11-year-olds want to have a party like that, but then I haven’t seen the films. From reading the books, it’s very much fighting as underdogs, but the fallout seems to be massive. I can only surmise that the films have glossed over that bit.
Oh, but happy birthday, Squiffany – and I love the idea of taking a binbag and string to drop a present over the back gate!!!
I think it’s partly about having a strong, active heroine and, though it’s violent, I suspect they don’t really take all of it in. Squiffany told me a while ago that The Hunger Games was her favourite book. It’s certainly a page-turner.
I’ve read them – when they came out; but (as per usual) just to keep up with the grandchildren.