Fay, sadly, no. It's a nonstarter because I know (sort of) how he thinks, and a reception that does not involve the presence of his actual granddaughter would be FAKE.

It'll work out; I'm just supremely irritated at the amount of time and energy that's going into managing my dad instead of planning for the actual event.

I'm just supremely irritated at the amount of time and energy that's going into managing my dad instead of planning for the actual event.

We should stop having events. No more birthdays!

{{JZ}} Gah. Good luck. It's a tough thing but I hope you manage to deal with the situation--and give Hec's dad the respect and experience he needs as well as what YOUR new, little family needs. At least get some goggles to keep your pretty eyes from rolling away.

At least get some goggles to keep your pretty eyes from rolling away.

Heh. Costume-party baptism; I'll be going as Mad-Eye Moody.

Arse.

People suck.

JZ, is it possible to have a small gathering after the baptism where you can spend time with Hec's dad and let your dad throw the big shindig he wants to have the following week?

and let your dad throw the big shindig he wants to have the following week?

We don't want a big shindig at all. It's a Thing. The extended family of Greek cousins is moneyed and they have very elaborate events, and everybody keeps score and it's a conspicuous display. Some of the cousins live well beyond their means to maintain this form of hierarchical posturing. That ain't us. And the sooner her Dad adjusts his expectations on this subject, the better.

And the sooner her Dad adjusts his expectations on this subject, the better.

It's probably best to set those boundaries now.

Whoops. Didn't need to be said twice.

I am at this moment giving thanks for my lapsed Lutheran in-laws.