Whenever it is possible we like to have at least one evening a year when we take all our children, their spouses, and the older grandchildren out to a good local restaurant. Of course, an 80th birthday is a great excuse for when to do such thing. We knew our younger daughter would be in Israel for this week so we set the date to be during the time she would be with us. Setting the date was the first step. It was not too difficult. This would be a true Birthday Dinner and the date had to coincide with that event. Then we notified all the participants to reserve that evening. It landed on a Thursday night, and we had to make allowances for everyone to have completed their work for the day and for getting babysitters for the younger grandchildren who would not be attending. Then we ha to select a place. We wanted a good place and there are several eateries in Jerusalem with reasonably high quality menus.
The first problem came when we tried to make reservations at the first restaurant of our choice. We called them to make reservations, and they told us they would get back to us with a confirmation. A couple of days went by without that happening. We contacted them again. We were told that of course our reservation was listed, but for an hour before the time we requested. Negotiating the time was not easy. They wanted us to book for an early time slot so they could seat another party when we vacated the table. As an alternative, we could take a later booking. Neither was acceptable for us. Starting earlier did not allow enough time for some of the family to arrive, and a later time caused difficulties with mid-week bedtime routines for our younger grandchildren. After some fruitless negotiations we decided to select a different restaurant. Our younger son volunteered to handle the reservations and fixed menu. He did a great job. The time was right and the place offered an excellent, and varied, menu.
We all arrived at the place chosen at nearly the same time. We got a separate room with a long table set for sixteen. We ordered a few bottles of wine for toasting the birthday celebration, and the fun began. The first course was served semi-family style. There were platters with salads, chicken liver pate, grilled chicken parts, and small slices of entrecote. The platters were distributed so that every part of the long table had at least one of the items all the time. If a platter was emptied, One of the waiters quickly whisked it away and brought a replacement. As we completed this course, the first stage of entertainment started. Our older daughter is a graphic artist. She prepared a special album with photographs covering the entire 80 year span. And accompanying the photographs were little typed vignettes with greeting and birthday wishes. Some of them from relatives living in the US. Our daughter had contacted them in advance, and integrated their messages into the display of photographs. I got the leather bound unique version. But every family unit at the table also got a paper bound version of exactly the same album. Our dauhghter later informed us that she also sent copies of the paper bound album to everyone who had sent in special greetings. That included my sister and several cousins.
My wife took over the next step. She had brought a set of little conical party hats, Everyone got one. The spontaneous play that followed was hysterical. One person put the hat on over his nose, like a bird beak. Another took a second hat from a neighbor and made them into horns. Yet another used the conical hat as an ear trumpet. The repartee that came with all this had us all laughing. This was followed by the arrival of the main course. Again, it was served semi-family style so that every part of the table had a platter of each of the main course items, and also the side dishes of rice, roast potatoes, and vegetables. Once again, the ever attentive serving staff were quick to refill any empty platter if anyone indicated a desire for a another helping.
Before dessert I was presented with a special birthday gift from all our children. Our younger daughter had purchased a 3D printer for me. The kids wrapped it up in decorative paper. I took off the outer wrapping, and still had no idea what this bulky (and heavy) box contained. The cardboard shipping container had no markings to indicate what was inside. I took out my ever handy pocket knife and carefully cut the tape sealing the cardboard flaps. On top of the packaged printer was an explanation sheet. The children all knew that I had gone to commercial designers in the past to make 3D printed scale model ships for my collection. Now I had my own. It will take me some time to learn how to use it. That may have been part of their plan to keep me busy and out of trouble.
After separate platters of some sort of chocolate fudge and vanilla ice cream it was our turn to wrap up the proceedings for the evening. My wife and I prepared special individualized party favors for each person. We had some empty plastic tubes with clown illustrations, We placed a miniature liqueur bottle in each one, then filled the remaining space with candies. The grandchildren that were under 18 got a jar of wine flavored jam instead of a liqueur. Everyone had his/her name on the top cover. Fro a final touch, we collected some of the unused napkins, cleared a space at the end of the table, an spelled out “Thank You” with the napkins for the attentive server crew.
Wetherhorn 