Happy birthday to me! I was secretly hoping for a big surprise party and man did they make that happen. I can't decide if I like the fact that Perry knows me so well or not. Abby and Emily decided they wanted to throw a surprise party and told Perry. He said, nope, mom's too nosey and you'll never pull it off. They told him they really wanted to try, so he told them fine, this is how you have to do it. Throw in some red herrings like Perry taking me to the NOC on my actual birthday and having a "fake" party the night before and maybe you can get her. Well, they did and I'm still shocked. I just knew when we pulled up to the NOC on my birthday that people would be there, and they'd say surprise. Nope. Perry and I enjoyed a peaceful day by the water, and it was wonderful. Friday night I just knew I'd come home from work and find a party waiting. Well, I did, but it only included my crew, Pop and Nonna, Granny T and Jim and Mac and Lesa. It was fun, but I may have complained a little after everyone left saying "really, what kind of last-minute BS was that?".
Little did I know how the next day was going to go down. It was the last Saturday in May and Abby wanted to go sell tomato plants and her herbal stuff at the Farmer's Market. Initially Perry and I were going, but Abby really seemed to be pushing the whole idea, so I said well why don't you just go with me then. I was thinking she just really wanted to sell her products and it would be better if she was there to explain them to people. I had no idea she was just trying to get me out of the house. I was not the happiest person that morning becasue I didn't really want to go to the market that day. And because I wasn't the happiest person, I told Abby we were staying the entire time since she's the one that wanted to go. I had no idea she was actually laughing at me the whole time knowing what we were going home to. She asked to drive home so I said sure. As we were pulling in the gate she had a huge grin on her face. I looked over and started complaining about the goats and at that moment I saw balloons. I just shook my head and started to smile. I wasn't dressed for a party, my jeans and shirt were the same color. The bagpipes began to play and I walked toward the feasting hall where there were 36 people waiting to sing happy birthday to me. It was perfect!!! The girls did an amazing job and I'm afraid my husband knows how to work around my nosiness entirely way too well.
Our farmer's market booth that morning. We didn't even have a tent.
The table that was waiting for me back home.
Food table. Everyone brought a side dish for the amazing brisket Chad and Amanda smoked.
The girls had pictures everywhere!! They know I love my pictures!
Drink table.
Tea corner!
More pictures!
Katie, Nonna and Anita waiting for the birthday girl to arrive.
Poor Emily had to make 4 cakes. Two of them for the fake party and two for the real deal.
The path looking up towards the shop where I would walk down from.
Uncle Doug came down.
Granny T, Perry, Amanda, Chad, Me and Emily.
Ben, Benjamin, Me, Uncle Jack, Aunt Laureen, Mac and Keith.
Moma and me.
My girls!! The biggest surprise was that my girls came all the way from Alabama to surprise me. Abby and Emily knew how special this would make my birthday and they secretly made phone calls to these ladies. They searched my phone for the numbers, called from Perry's phone, told everyone to confirm with Daddy Dave and not call Perry's phone back and then deleted the phone call records. They really had to go in stealth mode for this operation. Celeste, Katie and Alice were all scheduled to make it up, but Alice had some last minute come up and wasn't able to make it. So we facetimed her for a picture and a quick chat. It was awesome to be with my girls again on such a grand day. I've known these ladies since 3rd grade and we were the best of friends all through middle and high school. It's fun to reminisce and see these familiar faces again. Katie and her daughter Bailey stayed the night at our house. We got the picture albums out the next morning and had a blast talking about old times. It's so good for the soul. My girlies, Abby and Emily, know me so well and knew that I would get a big kick out of seeing my high school girls. This was just so special. We're now planning to get together soon and do some more reminiscing.
These two did an amazing job getting all the decorations for the party. They had lunch one day and went shopping together at Hobby Lobby and put it all together. I can't believe they actually kept it a secret, especially for as long as they did.
Emily, Abby, Me and Nonna.
The sneaky, sneaky planners.
Granny T, Abby, Nonna, Me, Donna and Emily.
Nonna, me and Pop.
Keith keeping us entertained with the guitar.
Opening all the wonderful gifts and cards. Wine, cast iron, flowers, gift cards and more.
The bunny whisperer.
Ella Claire and Bailey. Bailey is only 9 months older EC. Girlfriend is tall!
The beautiful sunset and evening atmosphere we had it. It was just perfect.
Pop and Ben Ben hanging out and talking by the fire.
D found these cute bee wings and head band for the little girls to wear. We didn't find them until the next day.
And EC needed me to try them on too. Bzzzzzz.
Crazy thing wanted to know what she looked like with tape on her eye. I think we all need a nap now!
