Not sure where all the time has gone, but my little Nicola is to be 21 on Tuesday. I became a Dad for the first time, when Nikki arrived at about 10 to 1 in the morning of the 17th November 1988. In spite of any pre agreement Tricia and I had on names beforehand, within minutes of being born, Tricia decided she was a Nicola…. which later in life Nicola changed to Nikki.

So, we all celebrated on Saturday night. Family and friends came to the village hall in North Marston. It was good to see all the McSweeneys together again, only a week after they last had a get together …. it seems our get togethers are like London buses. Our ‘extended’ family were there as well, Deb and Carlos, Wendy and Rob, as well as friends from the village. It was an excellent evening, lots of singing and dancing… even my Mum and Dad danced. The party finished just after midnight, and by the time everything was cleared up and we were home, it was really quite a late night.

We had a house full overnight, bodies sleeping on the floor etc, and then a big breakfast on the Sunday. After everyone had gone their ways, Tricia and I, with some help from a tired, and slightly hungover Robbie, managed to get the house tidied and straight before we collapsed in the living room.

Nikki went off with Phil to be physio at MK colts rugby (and apparantly was very busy !) wearing her new Leicester Tigers rugby shirt that Robbie had got her. She came back later, and had some tea before returning to Hatfield.

I have a day off today… just an opportunity to catch up and rest up. Ellie slept in, catching up on sleep after her late Saturday night. Robbie bought in a welcome cup of tea at 7am. He had gone to bed on Sunday evening during the middle of an episode of House…. he must have been tired, he wouldn’t normally miss House. Tricia has been up and busy already today… after doing lunch boxes and despatching Rob and Ellie to school, she has changed the beds, been to Thame for some items she needed from the cake shop, and now she has gone for a work out at a gym in Tring.

Me…. I’m just keeping a chair warm.

Some pics from Sat night…

Nikki with Simon and Andrew, and then with her godson, Freddie.

Nikki withClayton, who she has been friends with since primary school, and Brian her coach. Then one of Nikki with Tricia, Dad, Ellie and her friend Jess.

And a rare picture of Robbie enjoying himself at a party ! Then one of Nikki with Jade, who like Clayton she has been friends with through primary and secondary school. Jade is a supporter of West Ham, which is another plus

These are Nikki with Phil, who she met at MK rugby club, and one of Mum looking on.

Here is Dad putting Carmen through the paces on the dance floor, and me and Nikki dancing to ‘Baggy Trousers’ by Madness.

This is me with my nephews and niece at the end of the evening singing a Queen song, and one of me with Nik.

Here is Dad with Carol and Scott…. and one of Steve.

Blimey I must have filled up the internet with all those photo’s… must go and do those couple of little jobs Tricia left me with before she gets back.