Meeting Andy

For Daniel's birthday Auntie Jenny, Uncle Howie and Oscar got Daniel (me, Jenny and Osc) tickets to go and hear Andy Griffiths talk about the 117-Storey Treehouse book. We really had no idea of what to expect. Daniel loves the Treehouse books and so I thought it would be fun to go and hear Andy talk about it and be able to meet him and get his book signed. 

We met Auntie Jenny and Oscar at their place and then headed to the train. The boys where highly social on the train, reading their Andy and Terry books.

When we arrived at Chatswood Daniel got his book (that was also part of the present from the Howies) and Oscar bought his own book. The boys then sat and read their books as they waited for Andy to come out.

Andy then took us on a journey of the new levels in the 117-Storey Treehouse book. He was such a great speaker - engaging both the kids and the parents. He took questions from kids and was so down to earth as he answered them. He loves to pay out Terry. He knows his books to well, able to refer back to certain events in past books being specific about them. I couldn't even remember what books different parts came from.

Daniel really enjoyed it. Oscar really enjoyed it. There were times when Oscar was laughing but a lot of it went over the top of Daniel's head. Things like at the start when Andy asked 'Why did the kid fall off their bike?'
Answer: 'Because a refrigerator fell on top of him'.
Daniel wasn't laughing - probably trying to work out how that would happen.

But other moments he did get the giggles, he did follow the jokes, or he just laughed because other people were laughing. Interestingly parts of the 117 Storey Treehouse were from the Dumb Dot storey which Mum and Dad brought back for him from their UK trip a couple of years back.

 Daniel got the giggles when some kids were invited up on stage to reenact a scene from in the book of a battle between Terry, Andy and Jill. He dressed up 3 kids and they had different defense techniques. Terry had long noodle arms, Jill had a horn and Andy had a super soaker. Of course Andy would win but the funny part was when he said 'that was the end' and kid Andy turned on real Andy and started to spray him with water. Brilliant! Again Andy responded so well to the kid.

He then spoke about the 'Door of Doom' and what could be behind it. Daniel (and the rest of us) giggled as Andy went through the different possibilities of what could be behind the door. Vegetables, falling fridges, elephants in fridges, etc. 

Nervous about what could be behind the door

Happy Daniel

What a great present from the Howies.

Auntie Jenny and Oscar then headed home while Daniel and I lined up to have Andy sign his book. The line was very long. Very, very long. I was super proud of Daniel who was so keen to meet Andy and have him sign his book. He sat and read his new book, his older book and his new book again.

So close

He was very excited to meet Andy. Andy was lovely and very down to earth. We had been in line for 1.5 hours. 

Writing Daniel's message

Daniel with Andy

I did like Andy's message for Oscar.

Special to have Daniel's book signed.

Great present! Thanks Auntie Jenny, Uncle Howie and Oscar!