We live several hundred miles away from our families. For the last couple of years my parents have visited at the weekend near my children's birthdays. We've always invited MiL too but she's always refused to come here (we have a spare room, her and step-FiL are perfectly fit and healthy drivers). In fact, in the 10 years we've lived here she's visited once (we visit about once every 6 weeks/2 months)
It's DD2's birthday in a couple of weeks. She's asked for a swimming party and as her birthday is on a Saturday this year, her party is on her actual birthday.
MiL has kicked up a fuss that she never gets to see my girls on their birthday and wants us to travel up to see them for DD's birthday. We refused, and she got a bit shirty so DH reminded her that she is invited to come here (as she is every year), so if she really wants to see DD she'll have to get off her arse (or wait until we go back for the weekend at the end of the easter holidays) so this year she's decided to come.
All fine.
Until last night.
SiL has recently got engaged and MiL wants to bring SiL and her partner down with her. Again, all fine.
Except, MiL announced that she wants to use the occasion of DD's birthday party to have a 'select gathering' for SiL's engagement. I thought she meant she wanted to go out for a nice dinner or something in the evening, but no, this 'select gathering' is to take place in the local swimming pool in the middle of my daughter's birthday party.
She wants the birthday tea table to be decorated with engagement decorations and have champagne toasts while the children and their parents (who are completely unknown to MiL and SiL) tuck into their sausage rolls and jelly.
I really thought she was joking so I laughed a lot but it seems she's being completely serious.
I'm not sure if SiL knows about this madness yet, DH hasn't had a chance to contact her
It's just odd isn't it?