Family Concerns

My parents are in Canada at the moment, about to embark on an Alaskan cruise, so they're missing out on various key events - i.e. my niece's pre-ball festivities last Saturday, and my sister's fiftieth birthday yesterday. (Her bitter words of wisdom for my brother and me: "It'll be your turn soon!) The following pictures are for them. If you're not a member of our family, please come back another time.

The first picture is the gathering glamorous hordes; the second of Rebecca and one of her friends, Ryan; the next is of some of the gaggle of boys lurking in the dining room, waiting for more girls to make grand entrances. Jack, Rebecca's date, is the one with the long hair. The pic is of everyone assembled just before they left for Eden Park, where the ball was held. What you can't see in the photo is the dozen or so parents drinking wine and snapping pictures.

Of course, I think my niece looked absolutely gorgeous, but she has informed me I'm a very biased observer. Just because I think she is the most beautiful and intelligent girl in the Southern Hemisphere! I'll write more about school balls later, in one of my "How Times Have Changed" posts, but to keep on-message, here are some photos of us all at Sal Rose restaurant in Mt Albert last night. Certain family members are acting the goat. My sister's big party is on Saturday, and will be lavish. Last night was pizza and silliness.

That's my brother and sister; my sister and niece; and my nephew and brother-in-law. Afterwards, we went back to the house in Mt Albert to eat apple strudel, sing "Happy Birthday," and watch - once again - the video of Christian the lion's 1972 reunion with his former owners.

Addemdum: thanks to my friend Emily Simpson for lending Rebecca a pair of chic Kathryn Wilson shoes for the ball.

Comments

[Rachael King]

Sorry to be a voyeur, not being a family member, but I am disturbed/amused/shocked at how similar the girls dresses are to the one I wore to my 5th form ball in 1985! The following year I abandoned all things '80s and started wearing vintage/'60s secondhand from the local St Vincent de Paul.

Just goes to show you can turn your back on '80s style but it will still come back to haunt a new generation.

[Rachael King]

i haveto add that I don't so much mean your gorgeous niece's dress - she looks very classic-Hollywood-glamour - I'm more referring to the strapless-taffeta-with-lace-overlay look.

[paula]

Apparently, several of the girl had bought vintage dresses - including the taffeta/lace number. These dresses are from the 80s: that's vintage these days!