Sunday 16 December, 2007

Happy almost-13th Greer

Almost 15 years ago I saw this young man, Mitch, being born. These days, among other things, he plays coconuts.

Soon after that, almost 13 years ago I saw this young woman, Greer, being born.

Yesterday we held her combination Primary school Graduation and early 13th birthday party. Everyone came as a character from a film or favourite TV show. Greer came as Abby from NCIS. Here is Abby playing Wii.

Other characters, seen below, included Jamie Oliver and The Doc from Back to the Future.

There was also a Pippi Longstocking, a Manuel, PopEye and Marty McFly. He was only one of several characters from that great genre, the Eighties teen film. In fact, you would think that there had not been a teen film that made a real impression on kids since that time if you were judging by the characters being chosen. Apparently at other parties there has been alot of Buffy, but she did not make an appearance last night (though Greer was given Season 7 on DVD. Lucky girl.)

Here we have the gang, sitting wrapt, while The Age's film critic Philippa Hawker, and mother of Greer and Mitch, acts out A Bug's Life in a game of charades.

There is something wonderful about seeing so many smart kids teetering on adulthood. And as for Greer and Mitch - well, they bring tears to my eyes. Now that Victoria's laws are being changed to make it easier for lesbian couples (among others) to access IVF, perhaps Virginia and I should give child rearing a shot ourselves. But in the meantime, there are birthday cakes to be made.

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