Yesterday Chris turned 33 years old. Leading up to this day he kept saying it was just another day and he had actually forgotten the big day was so close – it’s a good thing the kids were counting down since the beginning of the month! So, our mission: to make it an ABNORMAL day!
Since Chris is only home for one to two hours when the kids are actually awake, we made a poster that he would see on his way out the door. The kids were excited when they saw the little note Chris left for them after seeing his sign.
I have been told repeatedly NEVER to send balloons or anything to work for him, as he would be very embarrassed. We went for the next best thing – filling his car at the bus park ‘n’ ride parking lot. Just a week or so ago we were able to find an inexpensive car for Chris to drive to and from the bus station and to his early morning meetings on Sundays – without this little find, we would have never been able to do this. Anyway, we had 3 garbage bags of balloons that we filled his car with a note on the steering wheel.
Even though Chris left work early so we could go out to dinner, it took him 2 hours instead of 1 to get home because of New Jersey’s great street draining that results in flash floods almost every time we have some substantial rain. But this turned into a good thing since we were all wanting to see the reaction on Chris’s face when he saw the car full of balloons and we drove over to the bus station after gymnastics class. We ended up waiting a good half hour before the bus came but the kids were so anxious to see Chris’s face, they behaved being cooped up in the car. It was worth it!! I wish I had been closer to get a good picture but he was laughing and said he laughed the whole way home.
After meeting him back at home we all went to enjoy a dinner at Chevy’s, which was one of the most enjoyable meals we’ve ever spent out with the kids (of course, Chris wouldn’t let us have the waiters sing to him). They behaved so well even though it was bedtime and they were so hungry! Then we came home for carrot cake and presents. It was a late night but we all had a blast . . . and Chris told me before going to bed that it wasn’t just another day – it was a great birthday! Mission accomplished!
So fun, I’m keeping the balloon thing in mind for Gordon’s next!
What a fun birthday! I love all the little things you did to make his birthday special! I’m not sure how we would pull off a balloon thing like that, but it sure sounds fun!