The real X-factor (Jedi mind trick)

My family and extended family celebrate individual birthdays with good food and drink.  We meet up in the house of the birthday person to celebrate the day.  Thankfully these events are mainly scheduled during the weekends.  This tradition has been going on for at least 12 years now, so it is something that has become an important part throughout the planning of the year's activities.  It is almost up there with New Year and Christmas.
...and, it helps me remembering all the birthday dates.

For some reason this year, the grand father decided to go away for his birthday, celebrating his birthday with his wife - a somewhat intimate and quiet birthday celebration for the elderly people.  Nothing wrong with that, but it might not be the best idea considering the tradition we have going and the high expectations of a free dinner. In their case at Loco Che's house.

When my 5 (almost 6) year old daughter got wind of the fact that her grand parents were deserting us and the party, to go abroad for a long weekend, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

She promptly contacted them and told them off.  Not only did she tell them that it was inappropriate to leave on holidays, but it was totally unacceptable to leave during a birthday.  "This is not the way we do things around here", she explained.  So, she kindly informed her grand parents that they had been X'd out of the calendar and the family.  It was their own fault.  They ditched the family tradition, so the family ditched them.

I think the grand parents were taken back, how honest and direct my daughter was. Tell me about it! I live with her 24/7, and I have felt her wrath a few times. It is not pleasant.

Shortly after, the family was invited to celebrate grand dad's birthday.  Another free meal, nice food, alcohol (for me at least) and a lot of good laughs.  Happy birthday grand dad.