Surprise Party

In Finland, the 40th birthday is usually well celebrated. Tony will be 40 on the 23rd of April.

From Tony's 40th Birthday

Chief mischief maker! Joanna with Maria and Tony.

As Joanna had to return by today, 19th April, Tony's company, LudoCraft Oy and Joanna organised a surprise party for his work-mates and his family.

Tony objects to such events, so the secret had to be total.

From Tony's 40th Birthday

Birthday boy with Samu.

From Tony's 40th Birthday

Cutting the delicious cake.

How Joanna and his work colleagues managed this, I do not know. But they lured him to the party place on Friday evening. He was surely surprised to find all his colleagues and his family assembled there for a great event.

From Tony's 40th Birthday

Brother-in-law, Teemu, sister, Heidi, father, Seppo and mother, Maire.

An Indian meal (Chicken Biriyani, Vegetable Pulav, Rogan Josh, Dhal Makhani, Garlic Nan and Nan with Raita) was served up by The Royal Garden, Indian Cuisine Section. As they promised, the food never ran out although everyone ate more than enough.

The three cakes made by the Huovisen Leipomo (Bakery) with a toffee topping and especially meant for allergic eaters, was outstanding.

There was plenty of coke and orange fizzy drinks as well as fruit juices for everyone. Joanna had brought plenty of spicy Indian Bombay Mixes from Newcastle. Crisps were very popular! The alcohol flowed like water, with champagne, whiskey and beer topping the table.

There were plenty of computer games for the addicts - which is everyone in Tony's company.

From Tony's 40th Birthday

Annikki and Daniel.

From Tony's 40th Birthday

Daniel.

Annikki and I made a soft exit at around 10 pm along with the two younger grandchildren. With the help of Ani, Joanna's right and left hand, we managed to get the two little ones to sleep.

Joanna, Tony and Samu returned just after 3 am, and also just about 15 minutes before little Maria woke up. Daniel obviously ate too much at the party, mainly crisp. When he got home and had a couple of slices of pizza, he had stomach pain and cried in his sleep till he threw up the excess, without waking up!

From Tony's 40th Birthday

Ildikó and Alma.

Altogether a very exciting 40th birthday celebration, and we have to wait for the next one when Joanna turns this age, about a decade from now! :-)