OLA! 21st Party Time

This is how it starts!  Broad brimmed sombreros, brightly coloured ponchos,  many moustaches and a few frothies,...let the party begin!!!! It was kind of scary to still be sweating in the kitchen when this crew arrived early for the 21st on Saturday evening to celebrate Oscar's birthday.

This gorgeous pile of fruit and veggies picked up in a manic trip to the farmer's market would soon be nothing but a memory of tasty treats.  We did Mexican which means lot of chopping for quesadillas and nachos in noodle buckets.  The better part of Friday night was spent cooking up 10 KILOS of ground beef which I have to say was a HUGE hit.  More than a few boys came up in the night to say how much they enjoyed the food.  I don't think I have ever seen so much disappear so fast!
Not one bite was left on Sunday morning! It would be a long night of laughter and then a bit of sorting out in the wee hours as several boys opted for sleeping space on mattresses and sofas around the house.  I did wonder how families without dozens of quilts cope in such a situation but all in all a night full of laughs, smiles and good cheer.

John always does a nice job on the outside.  Not only did he create several chill sections out of antique fridges and wash tubs but he made up a string of coloured lights to hang all the way around the house. It was just one of those tinkering jobs he likes to do...a box of coloured light bulbs from his dad's collection, some wire and some sockets turned into a beautiful string of coloured lights that surrounded the house and set the scene!
The pinyatta was full, the ponchos made, the bucket of Margueritta's in the freezer and we were off as the young amiga's started to appear!
Is it my imagination or are young women just getting more beautiful?
And the young men more handsome!  My favourite moment of the night! 

My friend Michelle helped me with all the cooking which was a good thing because when we started making the quesadilla's we just couldn't make them fast enough.  They swarmed around the passing platters like honey to the bees and eventually figured out they could just come and stand by the bench and get them hot off the cooking plate. 


It was hilariously fun as they were so appreciative of the food...is there anything that makes you happier than making food for young men that simply can't get enough?

It was nice also that Noah, having just finished his HSC exams could participate and enjoy the festivities after so much hard work.  He and his friends are all turning to the next phase of their life and for me it is hard to imagine having two young men out of school.  Most of these guys I have known since we did reading together in Kindy.  Looking at all of them makes the moments of the years fly by in a glance.Of course we still have the cool gang to get through the next two years!  This gang of arty musos is just lurking on the brink of what the others are up to lifestyle wise.  I can't help but wonder the effect of watching the older boys will have on Sam. 

It was all a bit of a blur for a while.

The speeches were gut busting funny.  A mom should probably not laugh at some of the things she heard  told but there was one mom in the crowd that could hardly breath for laughing.  It was with great pride that I heard stories told with relish by friends that will last a lifetime.    The nicknames, the stories of beers and babes, travel and sport were expressions of memories that will last the test of time.  One can only watch and wonder what life will bring all of them in time.  How lucky are they to have each other. 

If a man can be judged by how many nicknames he has then Oscar rate pretty high.  Mole, or moleman was the first but the one that he has acquired since starting law school, The Judge, is the one that made me laugh the hardest. A man of many faces....he soon turned from this

 to this!  How does a mother erase the sight of her son, clad only in a holster and undies dancing madly in the night?  I can't forget and never want to!

This year has brought many big moments to my life that I am forever grateful.  However, this party celebrating  Oscar turning 21 is the biggest milestone of them all.  His arrival in our lives changed everything.  It is hard not to think back to sitting in the hosptial with this tiny baby boy and my husband and realising that we were now responsible for his life.  Nothing ever changed anything more than that single moment in my life.  And now, 21 years later he is set free by law to be his own man.  He will take with him the foundation we have given him and a happy assortment of wonderful friends.  What he does with it is his choice. Go forth and prosper...quilty stuff tomorrow...k

Comments

[LoriD]

Talk about busting a gut! it looks like so much fun and he will remember such a grand time and have fond thoughts of his mum and dad who hosted the party.
Ole'

[kate x]

There's no greater compliment in life than when your children want to share special occasions and their friends with their parents.
It looks like you all had a blast.
Well done!!
kx

[Sara Hill]

I agree with kx--I can tell so much about your family because everyone wants to be at your house for a party---that's no small thing. Thank you so much for sharing--it's one of the reasons I love your blog, and Anna Maria Horner's too---you both have awesome quilt stuff to see and family stories too. Sara

[Kathy]

Hi Sara,
Thanks so much for the nice comment. I write because I love to and when someone comments that they can relate it always is such a pleasant surprise. I think the young uns came because Oscar is a triumphant fella that they all adore...after seeing him dancing in his underpants with wild abandon I can understand why! thanks...k

[Stacey]

Lovely blog....it made me think of my own sons growing up...needing to eat so much...14 and 17, my 17 year old is into the last week of his year twelve exams...when not swatting text books he has the recipe books out planning the menu for his first night out of study jail! Dad and I are cooking of course!!!

[Sharon]

Looks like you and your DH have done an amazing job raising Oscar. Having all his friends come to your place for a night of food and fun says alot about the whole household of people! Thanks for sharing this great night.

[cardygirl]

How lovely to share his 21st celebrations...and I love your refection on those precious years. Parenting is a job that can be difficult at times...but a special night like this is a reward in itself!

[LuckyCharm]

This is a wonderful story. Ditto to all the comments above. Thank you so much for sharing!

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