Attempting the Impossible: Surprise!

Today I'm attempting the impossible: a surprise birthday party for my ten-year-old. I can't wait to see if it works.

I let all the parents know that if it turns out to be an un-surprise, there'll be no hard feelings. I just thought it'd be really fun to try.

So far, this is the plan:

Dane's pals and Aubs and the cousins will meet us after school at the playground. The kids know they can tell Dane they've been allowed to play with him after school. And then we'll pile them all into vans and drive them to Yogurt Hut for two hours of yogurt sundaes, pizza, foosball, darts, air hockey, pool, and karaoke! (I've rented the room so 12 kids and several adults can have the joint to ourselves.)

After that, some kids are getting picked up, and we'll take the rest home.

Two of Dane's best buddies have also been invited to stay for an overnighter, where hopefully I can drum up How to Train Your Dragon to follow some outdoor play and Legos.

Dane's birthday's not until Tuesday, and just this morning he was seriously trying to figure out with Mick what he could do for his party ("Maybe bowling?") and who he'd invite (everyone we've got coming today!).

The only glitch is that I don't really have that moment planned when he figures out what we're up to and we all yell "Surpise!"

Woops.

I have a feeling it'll pan out just perfectly though.

THE PARTY(S)

Aubs invited her favorite gals, her cousins and two girls from class, to walk home with us and play after school on her birthday. She specifically chose a small group because last year she invited all the girls in her class and felt pulled in too many directions.

Indi and Aubrey. Aubs is wearing the dress her Grammy sent her the night before.

The gang, above, at the bleachers (with neighbor Kimmi walking part-way home with us). And below, wearing cloth napkins for do-rags and using the living room as a gym.

Of course, Aubrey wanted to do a craft.

And decorations.

Ice cream and frozen berries for "cake."

Sharly's a gal pal, too.

Aubs and Dane decorated the cakes for Sunday's bowling party.

Nora's Spanish tutor dropped her off on Sunday and took some of the gang for a spin through the neighborhood.

Birthday dog.

Bowling with buddies.

The End.