We had to do something in early to mid-December so it wouldn't get mixed in with other holiday parties. We also had to figure out how to get them there and keep the surprise! I don't know about ya'll, but my parents are retired and they are busier than EVER! Lunch dates here and art classes there and volunteering at the hospital and the elementary school. Tutoring on certain afternoons and guitar jam sessions out of town. How were we to do this?
Well, they have a favorite restaurant in Clayton, Skylines, that they visit a couple times of week. We decided that would be the spot. My sister communicated with the owner to plan everything and she reserved the entire restaurant for us. We rented the place out!
Next I needed to get the invitations out. That took some sneaking around too! I had to sneak child photos of them, out of their house, without them knowing. Even up until the day of the party, I wasn't sure that the picture was truly Don. Thank goodness it was!
A week before, both my sister and I called my mama at different times and suggested we go out to eat for Don's birthday. We had to plant the seed and let her think it was her idea, while making it work with the party schedule. In true fashion, after each of us called her, she'd call the other to relay the information. They were free on the party date, December 13, and falling for the plans.
Then mama decided she wanted to try a new restaurant. Oh no! I didn't know how to convince her otherwise until we learned that Don was displaying art work at Skylines. Then it was a no-brainer. Why don't we go to Skylines since it's for Don's birthday and we can see his artwork? She took the bait!
The day of the party, I was a crazy lady! I was up early loading up the flower arrangements I had made, picking up desserts at the farmer's market, grabbing balloons from Party City, and arriving at Skylines early to set everything up. Mama had called as we were arriving to make reservations for 11am. The owner played along and told her they could do 11:15. That helped buy some time and we both got so tickled over it! She had NO idea!
Mama thought Kevin and I would be going by the house to ride with her and Don to lunch...so when she called to say Rebecca had already made it there and wonder where we were, I had to lie and say we were running late and we'd meet them at the restaurant.
10 minutes til party time, there was NO ONE there! I was a little panicked! Then guests started arriving and we soon had a full house. We agreed that when they walked in, we wouldn't scream, "Surprise", we'd just have everyone act like they were enjoying lunch and slowly mama and Don would recognize everyone.
It was priceless! To see the emotions on their faces, I could tell exactly what they were thinking and when they "got it"! Mama still thought the party was just for Don until she had greeted about half the guests. Then she realized it was for both of them!
The food was great! It was so good to visit with family and friends and we ended it all with the best dessert!
I can't believe we pulled it off and mama can't ever say again that she's never had a birthday party!
Don was even able to sell a few paintings and we spent some time at their house afterwards so they could open their cards. They really racked up on gift cards!
Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate!!
