When you only have 1 daughter, and that daughter is turning 16, it's time to throw a big surprise birthday party!
My week was consumed with working frantically on preparations while she was at school, then hide all the evidence and make it appear like I was getting "normal" stuff done. There were a few slip-ups and I was losing faith that it was actually a surprise. Like the day I felt so pleased to have baked a lot of cupcakes, hidden all the evidence, and sneaking them into the church/school practically under her nose... only to have her come home, sniff and ask if I had been baking. Oops! (Pride goes before a fall.) I was counting on her tendency to be "blonde" to work in our favor but wasn't convinced -since it appeared she was looking for a party.
Some Miller aunts & a cousin pitched in to do a fabulous job of decorating...
With a surprise party, the big question is always how to get the birthday person out of the house and to the party. JS's girlfriend took charge of that department for us. She invited A to help with a photo shoot -to get the attention of the kiddos. Which fortunately A agreed to do without hesitation. There was time to kill after the photo shoot, so they went to get a frappe. Then A was told the youth are playing volleyball at the church. Which they were. Except the server hollered "game point" when she walked onto the sidelines, then family came streaming out of the church and yelled "Surprise!" Confused Miss A looked around to see who was being surprised. (I missed capturing the moment recognition dawned on her face seconds before this photo below.)
We did it! We totally surprised her!
I think I am as surprised [that we pulled it off] as she was.
The only clue that registered with her was that I was deleting texts off my phone as soon as they came in, a little unusual.
We had salties, cupcakes, ice cream & sparkling apple drink.
Cupcake flavors were apple spice with salted caramel frosting, pumpkin with vanilla frosting, chocolate cream cheese with Nutella frosting.
Poor Miss A was full from the frappe so she could hardly enjoy the party food.
We had around 60 guests turn out. Another surprise to A how many people cared enough to show up.
The Paris photo booth was a definite hit!
Even the guys posed.
Ooh la la indeed!
with [missions trip] friends
with classmates
with big sister aka brother's girlfriend
aunt & uncle
with cousin & friends
with aunts
with mom
with dad
with brothers
Even Grandpa & Grandma got in on the action!
So many lovely gifts, if only I could open them without so many people looking over my shoulder she thinks.
The youth group knows her fairly well.
So many of the gifts given are "totally A".
A, you are growing into a beautiful young lady. Spread your wings and fly! May God bless your year with many fun & beautiful adventures.
2 comments:
Wow. Good job mom! That looks like a party that will always be a special memory!
And of course we had to miss it. How would I have looked with a handlebar mustache? :-)
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