Last weekend I attended not one, but two, parental parties.

The first was my Dad’s 60th. Before everyone arrived we tried to get some nice family shots and actually managed a couple with all eyes open and no mouths in mid-sentence.

My brother Nick, sister Sarah and I.

Sarah, me (and my fabulous mid-flight hair), Dad, Nick, my step brother Tom and step mother Robyn in front.

My sister’s partner Nick, Sarah and Nick (it gets confusing).

Nick, Sarah and I.

Sarah and I.

One of the most excellent aspects of the night was that all of the Brewin cousins (of which there are many) were present. No one was overseas, working or at a 21st. We certainly made the most of the night, took many photos and even started a hashtag #troublesabrewin. Although I think we all spelled it differently, so it didn’t really work out.

The girls:

Sarah, Lily, Esther, Greta, Ruby, Mia and I.

All of the cousins, um, touching the birthday boy:

The Brewins generally aren’t a shy bunch, so after the speeches we wasted no time cranking up the karaoke machine Dad had hired for the night and letting all of the Boroondara municipality know what talented singers we all are. This led to many hilariously unflattering karaoke photos:

My sister and I may have hogged the microphones just a bit.

Unfortunately the karaoke machine was a little too complex for Dad, who couldn’t quite get the knack of singing the right words at the right time, despite the songs being ones he’s heard more times than anyone cares to remember.

Hence why people are trying to prompt him, mostly by pointing, in this photo:

He failed miserably, but more than made up for it with his dance moves:

Happy Birthday Phyllis. I’m sure you’ve got a few more good years still left in you.

The next day we headed up to the country to celebrate Mum’s 30th year of living in Australia. It was a beautiful day and Mum, as per usual, put on an incredible spread for 40 friends.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I was far too busy eating and then lying on a picnic rug in the shade to take lots and lots of photos. But it was a lovely afternoon.

30 years in Australia and Mum still has a very confusing Canadian/Mid Atlantic/English/Australian accent. I love it.

And that was my weekend. Very family and friends-of-my-parents’ oriented, my small talk capabilities really took a thrashing. Kidding!

What’s your karaoke song?