I only have a moment, so here goes:
Seymour arrived with great fanfare late Friday (read: me jumping up and down in the pouring rain with glee.)
Seymour is a fabulous wooden outdoor table and chairs, complete with comfy cushions (not seen in this photo as they arrived later.)

I absolutely love it. I thought Angus outdid himself with the fantasticness of the gift. I adore Seymour (and yes, it will be called Seymour).
But then more came.
Saturday, after a day of frenzied cleaning and some minor arguments, I came back from a short shopping round to a sparkly Angus. He told me to pack things for two nights, and put them on the bed. When I looked again, a suitcase was packed. We dropped Gorby off at the kennel and went for a Mystery Tour.
I had no idea what was going on.
We drove into London, and pulled up at a nice hotel on Gloucester Road. He asked me to take a walk with him, and we went to the National Science Museum. He asked me to stand by a barrier and hold still for a picture. I did so, then he asked me if I wanted to see the picture. So I walked up to him and looked at the back of the viewscreen of the digital camera.

And there in my picture were my father and stepmother, who flew 6,000 miles to spend my birthday with me.
I can’t tell you how happy I am.
They’re here until Wednesday, and I have masses to tell you about, but for now, I’m in a happy glow with my family.
Angus outdid himself.
Boy is the bar set high for my 34th birthday….
-H.

That’s just beautiful. Happy Birthday, sweetheart (I’m sorry I’m late, I knew it was your birthday, I. . .aw hell. No excuses.) What a lovely, lovely present!! Great job, there, Angus! You rock!
what a fabulous, wonderful birthday! Continue to enjoy.
OHHHH! You all look so happy! Wonderful!
Happy Birthday Helen! :)
:)
WOW!!!!
I couldn’t be happier for you!
That so rocks, what a fantastic Fiancee! enjoy your week.
Fabulous! I’m super excited for you!!
Holy F**k! Well, that is about the bestest birthday I could think of!
Happy Birthday!
Awww Hooray! What a fantastic birthday surprise!!!
How cool! I hope you had an amazing birthday! Angus is going to have to work really hard to top himself next year :)
Hey Helen,
It’s incredible, I got tears in my eyes when I saw today’s post… I don’t have any words right now…. it’s just so incredible that someone would do such a thing for you.
Enjoy it to the fullest.
I am more in awe of Angus than ever. What a fabulous gift-for all of you really.
Seymour is fabulous. Looks like a great spot to sit and relax come warm weather.
Sounds like a great birthday was had! Enjoy!!!
ok, i was totally prepared to be disappointed when you didn’t get a real elephant, but that is the awesomest surprise EVER. will you ask angus to write a book, so i can give it to my husband to read? :)
That’s better than an elephant any day! Well done Angus!
Angus is the coolest……………:)
Happy Brithday!
And a big MuNu YAY! for Angus.
You are one lucky lil’ lady. That Angus is a keeper!!!!! Happy Birthday Helen I hope you had a fantastic weekend celebration!
Oh, wow, that just makes me beam with happiness for you! Angus is a keeper – that’s for certain! Happiest of birthdays to you – No foolin!
And enjoy Seymour!
Holy shit! Now that’s what I call a birthday!
The table and chairs are lovely!! Many summer dinners outside are in your future. What? I read your palm… ;)
The holy shit was for the visitors. :D
I am proud that Angus could hold it together andnot spill the beans that they were going to be standing right behind you. That is one hell of a sneaky guy! Not to mention your dad and step mom!
I am horrible when it comes to surprises and presents. As soon as I get them I either want to tell the person or give it to them right away.
Happy Birthday (again)!!
LOL, way to go Angus! Happy belated btw. How long did it take to register that they were there lol?
happy birthday dear helen!! what a lovely surprise! cheers to you and angus! :-)
I’m crying now, that is such a great birthday surprise! And how he managed to pull it all off is amazing. I hope you are enjoying the rest of your visit with your parents.
Had a feeling – but I thought for sure they’d be the package in your driveway. Don’t know why.
Have a FANTASTIC! time.
Glad you had a happy birthday.
That’s so incredible!! Yes a baby elephant would have been cool, but all the arrangements Angus & your dad had to make…. that is awesome. Enjoy your time together.
I would have probably looked at the picture and been “wow, those people look a lot like…oh. damn.”
Happy birthday dear girl!
Yes, Angus does indeed ROCK!
Happy Belated Birthday Helen! :)
wow. tell Angus he rocks!
and happy birthday!
Can we clone Angus? How fabulous is all that? Seymour is perfect and seeing your dad and stepmom again is wonderful!
Wow! That’s absolutely fantastic! I’m so glad you had a good birthday and enjoy having your parents with you for a few days. I’m so chuffed for you!! :o)
That’s such a perfect birthday present. Well done, Angus! Elephants are cute, especially baby elephants. But then there’d be all that poo everywhere..Seymour and your family, they’re definitely more hygenic.
Wow…THAT is Cool!!! And a masterpiece of surprise-coordination.
Wow. That is the stuff of cheesy movies and novels! I didn’t think that sort of thing happened in real life – what a truly happy birthday! So, how WAS the pumpkin coach into London?
You know what was weird. I woke up on April 1st and instead of thinking about short sheeting someone or other silly antics, I thought about you and wondered if you were having a happy birthday. I remembered your birthday and I don’t even know you–I mean I do, but I don’t…
Just sharing.
Looks like your are going to have a fantastic birthday week.
Wow – truly amazing. Congratulations! Lap up all the joy of it.
That is the coolest! Angus is awesome and so are your dad and stepmom! Happy belated bday! :)
What an awesome birthday. You totally deserve it too.
That Angus is a keeper!!!!!!!
That Angus is a keeper!!!!!!!!!!!
What a fantastic surprise! He’s a keeper…
Oh wow, Helen, that is absolutely wonderful!!! =)
Fantastic birthday gifts, indeed!
Obviously Angus has been studying his fiance how-to guide…
Well done!
Seymour is fantastic; what a great batch of surprises between Seymour and your family. Way to go, Angus! (And once more, happy birthday, Helen.)
Another thing: you’ve talked about being a longhair girl in previous posts, but cutting it short, and WOW does your hair look long in the photo. You wear it well.
awesome!!! happy bday, ur one lucky girl!
for some thuings there is money…. for everything else there is love….
best always Helen!!!!!!