You are HOW OLD??

I recently hosted a surprise 80th birthday party for my mom. We gave her a surprise 50th and a surprise 75th - I figured we didn't have to do it again until she was 100, but I was out-voted. My mom always thought is best to keep her age a secret (yeah, I know... I don't get it either...)

I have been struggling about how to write about this party. I can choose to recall all the ridiculous effort that went into pulling off the surprise. I can tell about the hard work and $$$ that goes into such an affair. I can even let you all know how we worked at coming up with the guest list.... But I think it is better to remember the sweeter moments...

I loved how the out-of-state guests (Allison and my sister) came a day early so we could start the party the day before the actual event.

I loved how we had a betting pool to see how long it would take my mother to say something stupid about our new puppy. Mr. Wonderful won, he guessed 10 seconds.

I loved how Allison told my mom how nice it was that we finally got a dog (St. Bernard) who can carry her ashes.

I loved how Bobby supplied the Ice Luge so we could all have ice cold Black Cherry Bacardi shots.

I loved how my cousins did not bat an eye when I asked them to travel from Jersey to Long Island on a Saturday in the Summer (God Bless you all for not mentioning the Hampton's Beach Traffic).

I loved how a "second generation cousin" actually WANTED to be there and she came bearing gifts - ASSORTED JELLO SHOTS!!

I loved how my 83 yr. old aunt (mom's sister) smacked me several times for making irreverent statements (WHO, ME? Irreverent??)

I loved how Mr. Wonderful volunteered to drive home some kids so they could continue to party until wee hours of the night.

I loved how "extended family" (read that: "Angela and Linda's friends") were happy to be a part of it all and helped in making the day a success.

I loved when I woke up the next morning, knowing that the house was still overflowing with love from the day before.

Happy Birthday, Mom. Thanks for giving me the excuse to have a party and make so many wonderful memories with my family.


Brother, Sister, Mother, ME!