My two cents...it's worth the trip. You may sit alone. But maybe you won't. Like you said, at 3 hours, it's not too big a deal to turn around and leave again.

If no one's doing anything, you could always just buy an ice cream cake, fill up balloons with water and teach the young pup the real way to play baseball?? (Hitting the balloons as though they're balls?)

IDK...just a thought. Do I get any change back if my ideas don't work out?

You'll be happy to know I took your advice before I read it , Patti. I has arrived.

As for whether there is a point to hoping for ice cream cake, etc. . . Sigh. . . Who knows what the parental units will allow. One of life's eternal mysteries. . . Why aren't the parents who call me, "Mom" any easier to understand or predict than my own parents were?

Whether your ideas work out, or not, how much change do you want back? It's the spirit that counts.

Hey Arfie, did have a therapist who said You keep giving what you want to get, She continued on to let me know that I need to speak up about what I want and need as well as asking them. No mind reading allowed. Hugs..

Thank you, Simpson. Unfortunately, my damaged memory has turned 40+ years of psychotherapy into an alphabet soup of degrees and theories. Theories and dx'es which were popular in 1972 when I first started therapy have come and gone like bad hairstyles. I often don't know sources or even the validity of many of the yaddahs that pop out of my psycho pots. Am I remembering right or is my memory playing tricks on me again?

Update:
The middle-agers in the family are still communicating like corporate drones wishing they didn't have to work for a living, but Hubs did manage to get a call through to the grandson's father and a commitment to bringing his nuclear family tomorrow afternoon. I'm taking it on faith that the party will happen and shopping accordingly, taking care to shop on the light side in case the recent patterns hold true and they just leave us hanging, party favors and all.

I s'pose the element I might wish for is compassionate faith that I don't break promises *just* to inconvenience the old folks. I shouldn't take it personal if this party falls through, too, and take it on faith that Mom and Dad are doing the best they can with what they have to work with.

Maybe. . . Sorting. . .

Sounds like you're in a pretty good space. My expectations always led to the disappointments. I believe that people do the best they can, though it may not be good enough. Sort away.

Oh the dynamics of families.

I'm hoping that it manages to all come together.

Thank you Patti. Hopes appreciated.

As I was stringing the balloon banner, praying it wouldn't just serve as an unhappy reminder later, I received a text from the father unit asking if we had stocked root beer. The birthday boy was asking for some.

"No root beer," I responded, "but I have a good selection of other flavors. Is it worth a special trip?"

Daddy texted back, "GS very cutely said yes. It's my birthday. And hot dogs?"

Hubs was as relieved as I was and eagerly responded, "I'll make the run."

Still plenty of time for one of Mother's infamous last minute plan changes, but it's looking good. Ninja Turtle theme. Cowabunga!!!

***Happy Dance!!!!***

Do let us know how this all worked out. Happy hugs.

The party happened!! A splendid time was enjoyed by all. Even the *funny uncle." Happy High Five Day!!! (5th Birthday). The hit birthday present was a cheesy plastic necklace reading, "Old Dude." Well. . . Either that or the whoopie cushion. The Old Dude farts were dramatic.

Thanks all for the support.