Four wheeling adventures

Son's birthday today so yesterday we had a Go Karting party planned for him at a local track. He's been dying to try Karting for some time now, but a lot of places have either a minimum age limit or a height limit, and as he's just turning 12, he hasn't been able to do it in the past.

We booked a session at Go Kart Go (www.gokartsgo.com.au) which is located off Research Road in Pooraka - about 20 minutes drive from here. Had a few dramas initially as needed a minimum of 8 (and at $30 a head didn't want to go much over that!) and one of his mates was grounded so unable to come. Managed to find a brave last minute replacement, so rushed around Friday afternoon, stocking up on junk food to feed the brave racers between their two ten minute stints. Times like this I really miss Marks & Spencers, as could at least have got semi-healthy junk to snack on from there! Ordered delicious ice cream cake from Cold Rock - layers of Chocolate Ice cream, Vanilla with Mars Bar mix ins, then Ferrero Rocher flavour with crushed Maltesers, and headed to school to pick up the lad. Chatting to Debbie at the pickup spot (another Taurean - happy birthday Debs) then headed back to car thinking just enough time to get home, tidy up, heat up sausage rolls and garlic bread, then head off to Go Kart track then disaster! As Deb's car drove away round the corner, I turned my ignition key.....nothing....absolutely nothing! For some reason, my car battery is completely dead! Panicked phone call to OH (just about to go into his first week's progress meeting at new job), garbled explanation of the problem and received very very basic instructions on how to push start a car (thanks dear but I just need to know how to do it, not how it works!).... thank goodness there was a slight downward slope as had to get poor son to push me down the road, and thank heavens, results! Son was a little concerned as engine fired up and I drove away down the road but I did come back for him (eventually)!

After that drama, the Go Karting went really well - with amusement provided by another parent who joined in giving a whole new meaning to "Competitive Dad"! Kids had a great time, junk food went down a storm, and sleepover afterwards at our place deemed a great success on the basis of the three boys only getting two hours sleep in the night! I hate kids' sleepovers - just too many non-family members in the house - but they seem to be the big thing here, and no birthday would be complete without one!!!