My Mom's 60th

Last year I attempted to surprise my parents by going home with my brother for my dad's 66th birthday. Unfortunately, my sister unknowingly spilled the beans and we arrived to happy, but not surprised parents.

This year my brother called me up to see if I wanted to go to our parents for my mom's 60th birthday. Initially my reaction was, "Umm, I just had a baby I'm not ready to travel yet." 

But the more I thought about it, I decided it would be fun to surprise my parents (for real this time) and to be there to celebrate mom's 60th. It helped that both Jack and Isaac do well in the car.

On the drive to Arkansas, it took us 9 hours. This involved three stops (including picking up my brother in Nashville), driving through three intense thunderstorms and one construction site in West Memphis. Thankfully the boys were troopers. 

We arrived after my parents were in bed and somehow made it into the house without waking anyone up. The next morning Jack was up at 6am (uncharacteristic for him). I let him play games on my phone (on silent) until my parents were up.

It was worth the drive to see the look on my mom's face when Jack ran down the hallway to say, "Happy Birthday!" to her. My folks had no idea we were there!

Jack had a blast on this visit – he ate blackberries that he helped pick straight from the garden, and he remembered getting to ride the little red wagon (he was 2 when we were last there!). 

He also got to ride around on the lawnmower (without a blade) with my dad and they spent time building lincoln logs together.

We had a lovely, though short, visit. We celebrated with our family's traditional pistachio birthday cake. We also had a blackberry cobbler – that Jack helped make.

In addition to celebrating my mom's 60th birthday, we also celebrated my parents 39th anniversary and my grandma's 94th birthday. 

I am thankful that both of my boys have now met my grandma. It was amazing how much my grandma lit up whenever my boys came into her room to visit. She was over the moon about getting to hold Isaac. I think we really made her weekend.

Sunday morning we enjoyed homemade pancakes and another visit with my aunt and uncle. Hopefully next time my sister and her family can join us as well. They were definitely missed. 

Our trip home was slightly shorter – only 8 hours of driving, three stops, no construction, and no storms.

Until next time...

Surprise Birthday, Sorta

About a month ago my brother asked if I wanted to go with him to visit our parents in Arkansas. Of course, I said yes. It turned out that the best time to go was around our dad's birthday. Once we had a date I asked Mark to keep it a secret that Jack and I were coming – I thought it would be a fun surprise.

When we were about an hour from their house, my brother called to let them know when we would be arriving. Right off the bat, my mom asked if Jack and I were with him. Uhhhh.... So he said, "No." Hah. He flat out lied. Anyways, our sister had called to wish Dad a "Happy Birthday" and she mentioned that we might be coming. I guess in the future, we better tell everyone to keep it a surprise! Oops. They were still pretty surprised when we walked in the door, just not shocked.

Jack was so excited to see family. He ran inside and gave everyone hugs and told my dad, "Happy Birthday." After a few minutes of visiting, we got ready for bed. Then Jack did the sweetest thing and walked around and tucked everyone in. Pulling their blankets up, giving kisses and telling them to stay in bed until the sun came up. So sweet.

Friday morning we got up and Jack ate muffins while we waited for everyone to get up. My dad was awake, so Jack insisted on taking him a muffing and a glass of milk. I am loving this stage with Jack.

To keep busy, we did lots of playing outside. Jack checked out one of Grandpa's rabbits. He also enjoyed wagon rides and pretending to drive the lawnmower, and a couple of trips to the park.

Inside playing included wearing a helmet (almost all weekend), playing with lincoln logs,

and playing with a small guitar (mandolin) and on the piano (which he called the P.S. for some reason). 

Friday night we celebrated my dad's 66th birthday with Shrimp and Veggie Tempura (a family favorite)

and Pistachio Cake with a recipe that my mom has been making for close to 40 years!

Saturday morning Jack woke up and got dressed himself. He put on a polo shirt backwards. I told him it was wrong and he insisted that was how it needed to go. That was fine with me. I don't argue over little things, especially when he is doing independent things like dressing himself (later that afternoon my mom and Mark took him grocery shopping and a lady told my brother that Jack's shirt was on backwards, "why yes it is, I'm so glad you pointed out the obvious").

For breakfast Jack helped my mom make pancakes. He loves to help in the kitchen. We also spent time visiting with my Grandma (Jack's Great Grandma). She really enjoyed Jack's antics. Every time he would come in the room, he would make sure she had her little stuffed dog.

That afternoon we went to Riverside Park to play and followed that up with a slush from Sonic. Jack specifically asked for "a sonic." 

After playing and Sonic we stopped at my aunt and uncle's house to visit. Jack enjoyed all of the animals. He walked Susie around on a leash (she is a 9 year-old shih tzu) and then tried to coax one of the cats out from behind the couch with the help of Aunt Linda.

That night mom and Mark took turns reading Jack bedtime stories. After he was in bed, I enjoyed a game of Super Scrabble with my mom.

For Sunday dinner, my aunt and uncle came over and we enjoyed my mom's pot roast and mashed potatoes. Nothing like a home-cooked meal made by your mother! 

Jack insisted on eating with chip chops (chopsticks). Probably because we used them for the Tempura night. He liked to stab his food with the pointed end. Silly boy.

After eating, we said our goodbyes. It was a great trip and nice to catch up with everyone.