HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MITZ!!

This past Saturday, 6 weeks of planning came to a head as we threw a surprise party to celebrate the 31st anniversary of Mitz's 29th birthday. :-)

Somehow we managed to pull off a complete surprise party - she had no idea! It probably helped that I woke up with a raging sinus infection the morning of - so bad all I could do was cry - no way did she think a party was in the works with me being in that shape. As a matter of fact, once she walked in the house she asked me if I was really sick - I assured her I was, and that she was to remember that when making out her will. :-P All kidding aside, it really was a lovely party. So many people came to celebrate my wonderful mother's birthday - some people we haven't seen in a long time! My brother and SIL were even able to attend - they flew in from Baltimore the Thursday before - kept them hidden from Mom until the party. I haven't lied to mother this much since I was a teenager!

So many people helped pull this off - we couldn't have done it without them!

Pops was my partner in crime - he did everything he could to keep her off the scent and get her out of their house and over to mine. He also pretty much let me run with whatever ideas I had, and was so supportive through the whole process.

Jon did a phenomenal job decorating the house for the party - he was up past midnight the night before. And of course the usual child-wrangling to free up my time for party prep.

Jim's cousin Joan came over early the day of the party to help with last-minute details/wrangle the kids.

My SIL Christy did a lot of food prep and cleaning the day/night before. She and Rich also drove me to the Minute Clinic the day of (my doctor's office was of course closed on Saturday) and wrangled the kids in the afternoon.

Jamie came over early to help prep/occupy the kids.

Our friend Amy was involved from the start - helping me with the guestlist, as well as distributing invitations to people at Safeway (she works at Safeway too). She also took Mom to tea at the Ritz to get her out of the house, then we had an elaborate ruse to get her over to mine - which we pulled off! And of course helping with details leading up to and during the party. She even got treated to bitching from Mom and me (separately, but I guess now she knows just how far this apple didn't fall from its tree!) about tea times. Long story. Poor Amy.

Our friend Sylvia was also involved from the start. Guestlist, details, chasing down RSVPs... The night before the party she came by to drop off dishes she was lending me for the party, and to pick up some of the food that I made ahead because I didn't have enough room in my fridge. She has a hellacious commute, long day, and still was willing to stop by on her way home to help out. She was supposed to come earlyish on Saturday to help, but once she found out how out of commission I was, she came by even earlier and took on some extra tasks. I didn't find out until later that she wasn't feeling well herself. And during the party she was all over getting the food out and ready, making sure the guestbook was signed (Jamie did that too - thanks guys - that made such a nice keepsake for Mom).

Another friend of ours, Alison, came up from Tucson and spent the night so she wouldn't have to drive. Once everyone left, she got right to work helping get the house back to rights - which was completely unnecessary, but so much appreciated!

And our friend Cindy helped keep the food flowing, and with getting dinner heated up and placed on the table, as well as hanging out with Oliver - they are wrapped around each other's little fingers. :-)

Ack! Missed a thank you! Aunt Lois put together a bunch of favors when she and Uncle Don visited the weekend before!

Sounds like a good time was had by all - I know I had a great time! Couldn't have been more pleased! Oliver was in his element. At one point, he pulled up a DR chair and parked himself by the chips and pretzels. Then he decided the salsa needed some doctoring - so he threw a bunch of cherry tomatoes in it. And held court at the kitchen island and breakfast table - just cracking himself and everyone else up. Natalie had a blast playing with her cousins, running around with balloons. She asked me if she could have a rockstar soda - meaning a can of Pepsi (super sale, I still love you more, Coke). I said "why not". So she caught Jon's eye, lifted the can, and nodded at him with a shit-eating grin. LOL Jamie caught Oliver as he pulled up a chair to the kitchen counter, stuck his fingers in the cake, licked them while saying "mmmmmmmmmmmmm". Stinker!

Happy Birthday, Mitz! We love you!

Thanks to everyone who helped pull this together, and who was there to help celebrate a special birthday for a very special lady!