You wouldn't typically think of 36 as a milestone birthday, but after the year that Scott has had, this was one big birthday to celebrate! Since the last year held many health surprises, I decided it was time to share a good surprise with him and throw him a surprise party. His birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so the party was scheduled for Sunday afternoon with cookies, apple cider & beer. Low-key but high on the fun factor! The plans all game together well ... I should have known things would get tricky at "go-time."
Last week, I asked Scott what he wanted to plan to do for his birthday. This question was actually more to figure out "How can I plan to get you out of the house for a few hours to get ready for the party?" He mentioned that he'd really like to go mountain biking on his birthday, so I thought that would be perfect. He could bike for a couple hours and come home to a house full of "Surprise!" Except someone decided to lollygag. A LOT. At about 11 a.m. (2 hours before people were supposed to arrive at 1 p.m.) I started to nudge him to leave for his ride.
Me: "How about you go mountain biking now?"
Scott: "Oh, I think I'll mow first then go for the ride."
Me: "It's so nice outside. You really should go NOW!"
Scott: "But I think I want to get the work done. Then play."
Me: "Nah. It's your birthday. You can mow later. You should enjoy your day."
He then proceeded to call 2 different friends to go mountain biking. At this time I was really sweating it because I knew if other people were involved that would very much complicate the plan and timing. Fortunately, the first friend had been invited and was aware of the party but declined due to family in town. The second friend was injured so he couldn't go. Before Scott could call a third friend, he decided to just get ready and go, and Luke decided to join him. Keep in mind neither Luke nor Reid knew anything about the party because I was afraid they would slip up and tell. In the midst of his taking-his-own-sweet-time, Scott also decided to watch that guy do the space jump ... and he talked on the phone some, too ... and he ate some lunch ... and he put away some laundry. While the stalling was fine, I was getting a bit worried that he was taking TOO LONG and wouldn't leave so I could get ready for the party! I even had to call Dad & Kathy for some possible back-up if they could help me get Scott out of the house with some fake car trouble or a computer issue. We had figured out several back-up plans if necessary.
At 12:55 p.m. (people were set to start arriving in 5 minutes), Luke and Scott were ready to leave. Having to think on my feet, I rushed out just as they were about to depart to catch Scott.
Me: "Hey, do you think you could run to the grocery store really quickly before your bike ride to pick up some steak so I can make stroganoff for dinner tonight?" (That is one of Scott's favorites so I chose the dish wisely.)
Scott: "Why don't we just go out for dinner?"
Me: "How about we eat dinner here and go out for dessert?"
Scott: "Umm ... Okay."
Me: "So would you mind running over to the store to get the meat so I can get it in the crockpot so it's ready for tonight?"
Scott: "I guess so. Do you need anything else?"
Silently I thought ... "Yes, I needed you to leave an hour ago!!"
Me: "No. That's all. Thank you." (Smile.)
Anyway, Scott and the older boys made a quick run to the store. In about 20 minutes, the friends who arrived early helped me to pull together and set up everything for the party ... table set, cookies on platters, cider warming, beer in the cooler, etc. At one point, I called Scott to check in and remind him of something (actually I was seeing where he was in the grocery store run to estimate when he might be back!)
I took some old photos of Scott and made these
signs for the cookies with funny little sayings.
When people saw these old photos of Scott,
everyone commented how much
all our boys look like him! So true!
My wonderful friend Julia helped with some cookie-baking!
"Sure ... we'll all smile for a sugar cookie!"
When he walked in the door, a house full of people were crouched down in our living room. After a delayed suspenseful few seconds while I talked to Scott on the stairs, they yelled, "SURPRISE!" He was genuinely shocked and had no idea! Mission accomplished! The funny part is that he had yet to take a shower for the day because he was going mountain biking, so he had to dash upstairs early in the party to shower and change! (Note to self: Always shower early on your birthday in case someone has a surprise in store for you!)
We had a fabulous afternoon laughing, sharing stories, sipping on cider and pumpkin beer, and sampling cookies. Scott so deserved to have a day celebrating him, and this was perfect! He said that there were some clues he should have picked up on looking back ... like when I made the comment of "I haven't really cleaned the house in quite a while" as I was frantically trying to pick up and clean in a not-so-conspicuous way. Or when we were at lunch on Saturday, and the boys brought up about the "secret cookies" we had made. I made a batch of cookies each day the week leading up to the party. One day I made sugar cookies, and the boys helped me. I just explained we were making cookies for the birthdays, but then we whisked them off over to Papa's freezer so they wouldn't be found by Scott. I played off the "secret cookie" comment that I'd made them for a sorority alum event. Scott believed that reason ... thank goodness!
Papa & Grant at the party ... best buddies.
Funny side story: Any time the doorbell rings
during the day, Grant will go racing for the
front door yelling, "Papa! Papa!"
hoping that he's coming over for a visit.
Grant is a little disappointed when it's
just the UPS guy and not Papa.
Julia, Britny & Jeff
The Birthday Boy with friends Nadine & Scott
(and Grant sneaking around in the background!)
So much fun. Such a wonderful birthday. A very happy birthday to you, Scott! May the year ahead be filled with improved health & much happiness!
And in case you were wondering ... after the party, Scott still got to go on his mountain bike ride with Luke AND mow the yard. A mighty fine day indeed!
