<p>When my dad turned 70, we had a huge event for him, with his grandchildren all performing and hundreds of guests in attendance at a restaurant. He beamed and had a great time. </p>
<p>H is turning 70 this year think his work will likely be hectic around the time of his birthday. Our kids are in LA & DC, while we’re in HI. Not sure whether it makes sense to defer a celebration for him until next year 2013, when things are much less hectic for him or we should have it earlier when we’re all together the month before his birthday (his sister & brother will also be in LA for that event), to celebrate D’s graduation. When S graduated in 2010, we had the same cast of characters also meeting in LA & had some low key dinners there. We have close family friends living in LA as well.</p>
<p>That might be a nice double celebration. We also plan to have a nice trip longish trip or two next year, just H & me.</p>
<p>Thanks for your thoughts on this. H has definitely nixed the idea of ANY large party.</p>
<p>D has just said she’s fine with having a party for her dad the night before her graduation instead of going to the baccalaurette dinner, which she attended in 2010 with a friend & all of us when S graduated. S has very limited vacation time (since new to the job & used it for Thanksgiving & Christmas) but is planning to make it to D’s graduation, so he will be able to attend the dinner with all of us. Perhaps we can do some planning for H’s dinner when I’m in LA with D later this week for a conference. D thinks we should keep it a surprise from H. She’s concerned he’ll not want anyone to “make a fuss” over him.</p>
<p>He just now agreed to attend a nice dinner with D instead of going to the baccalaurette dinner we attended in 2010 under tents with many, many other people & tables.</p>
<p>I’d go with celebrating along with the graduation festivities. Our neighbors had a big event where they celebrated the father’s 50th birthday, the mom’s completion of her phd, and middle S’s graduation from college. It was fun and everyone kind of got a chuckle out of their ability to multitask.</p>
<p>Well, it will be a celebration of D’s graduation from HS, H’s 70th birthday, nephew’s graduation from college & niece (from BIL)'s graduation from college as well. Niece actually graduated this December 2011 but no celebration that I’m aware of; guess I’ll bring her a card & check. She worked hard at it, since she graduated from HS in 2005 & was working p/t while taking classes. She doesn’t plan to be in LA–likely won’t be able to get away from work.</p>
She’s concerned he’ll not want anyone to “make a fuss” over him.</p>