Saturday January 12, 1985

 Moorhouse Inn

Mum: Jan, 1985

Samuel Lawrence Dixon Rhodes is one year old today. We are very proud parents. A busy morning. Ally opened Samuel's presents and cards in Mum and Dad's bedroom and we all sang 'Happy Birthday To You'. A bitterly cold day and I took Samuel out in his pushchair to Grandways to buy vol au vent cases and frozen sausage rolls. The little boy slumbered peacefully in his bright yellow snow suit. Back at the Moorhouse Ally met me to say Auntie Hilda had just phoned Mum, and she'd broken down afterwards. We made sandwiches and mushroom vol au vent and pottered around until 2.  After his sleep Samuel was dressed in his sailor suit to receive his guests at 2:30. Lynn and Sue and Co. A splendid tea. Samuel blew out the candles on his sticky cake, and then all the other children had a turn. Little Katie was sat with a large slice of boiled ham glued over her face, like a mask. Mum surprised the girls by her brightness and they thought she looks so much better than on Jan 2. Sam was mesmerized by his cousins. Dad, so good at parties, organised a game of 'cowboys and Indians'. It all fell apart by about 6pm. Downstairs, Karen, Steve, Jill and Tim came at 9 o'clock. Jill, pregnant, looked remarkably well but suffers from morning sickness and was violently sick over one of the mighty stone lions protecting the entrance of Leeds Town Hall recently. They went upstairs, but in pairs, to see Mum and Dad, who went to bed at 12. Our guests stayed until about 2 and the lads disposed of the birthday party left-overs. I went through the dictionary with Jill selecting suitable boys christian names. Her baby is due on July 12.

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