Happy First Birthday Joe Henry Thomas Craddock!

I have had to go into 'essential items only' mode the last couple of days, so I just thank the Dear Lord for the wonder that is the lovely Leah Vigon (rhymes with Wigan, she's Jewish, but not practicing) and the lovely Laila Charlesworth (nee Samuelsson - I told you of her heritage!). Without these two lovely girls I'm not sure how I'd have got through the last few days, but yet again I have...

Things just have a habit of catching up with you I find. It's just very fortunate that I can deal with it is all...and have the friends and family to help.

Non-essential client meetings have been postponed, and non-urgent deadlines moved, and projects delegated (never had a problem with it myself) but if ever there was something you had to be at it's the first birthday party of the lovely little boy who has two of your very best friends as his parents. And all the better he will be too, because of them.

So, Mr Jake 'Jason' Craddock and Mrs Kate 'Katie P' Craddock (nee Pope), I would like to thank you for the many many many laughs I've had at your beautiful home this evening.

The photo of me and The Family Craddock was taken by Kate's very talented photographer brother (he does weddings mainly, but also press & PR stuff too - he's based in Weybridge, but can travel) Mr Simon J Pope (www.simonjpope.co.uk). Please don't take these as a reflection of his work, he's ace. And he looks a little bit like Dermot O'Leary if he doesn't mind me saying (which I'm sure he won't). Again girls, he's very very happily married. Sorry!

Not forgetting Katie P's lovely Mum, Jill. Never let anyone say that I am Northern-centric. Kate, Simon - thanks in no small part to Jill - and Jill are some of the funniest people I know - and they are from Hampton (and surrounding Surrey towns and villages)!

Jake and Kate (and now Joe) make me laugh like you wouldn't believe. Kate is also a very talented writer (and PR bird), but she's taking some much needed time out to spend with Joe. Good on you Katie P, you (and I) know it's the right thing. They are terribly self-sufficient now, and it's lovely to see.

When I arrived, late as usual, my friends were still there with their gorgeous children. (KIDS in CAPS for ease of reference). Deborah (with BUMP) and INDIA, George, SAM and IMOGEN, Lisa & Paul and BUSTER, Ellie and BUMP.

They are the most gorgeous kids, and I spent the first few minutes taking pictures of other people's children like a complete sad act. Their parents weren't exactly hit with the ugly stick either!

After children had gone, well the little ones that didn't live there anyway, we had time to play with toys. Joe got a wooden fire engine from Habitat, 'The Gruffalo's Child' and the 'Kipper Collection' from his 'Aunty' Clancy. I used to get books and wooden toys from some of my 'Auntys' as a little girl, so understand that affections can easily be bought, from children (as well as cats)!

Incidentally, as I was driving to buy Joe's presents this evening, something popped into my head about a boy's relationship with his Mum, so, yet again, please allow me to indulge...

Girls, a few dates in, it might be appropriate to ask your new 'squeeze' when he last spoke to his Mum...

I shall share two possible responses and a couple of recommended reactions:

RESPONSE ONE: "Oh, thank you for reminding me, I haven't called her to say I've arrived safely."

REACTION ONE: Let him move away to make the call and RUN, RUN, RUN for the hills!

RESPONSE TWO: "Oh that witch, she ruined my life. I've not spoken to her for years."

REACTION TWO: RUN, RUN, RUN for the hills!

Same can be said for brother/sister relationships too I fear!

Just my opinion again!

So, back to tonight..

Many many laughs and just what I really needed, when I needed it, tonight.

Thanks to the families Craddock and Pope for a wonderful evening. I could have stayed much much longer but Connie and Squeak were beckoning.

Love you loads guys, as always

Clancy xxxx

P.s thankfully these pics were taken before Jake felt the urge to dart by me to give a bike tyre to some departing guest, thus knocking my glass of red wine down my cheap, but still nice, cream jumper. Thanks Jakey Boy!