Birthday Bash

[same_sky]

I am Worn. Out. Just thinking about all the stuff I did today kind of makes me need a nap. As I've mentioned before, we were throwing my dad a surprise 50th birthday party. Since my mom had to be involved in getting Dad out of the house, that rather meant that I--with M's help, of course--got stuck with the burden of labor. So last night, M and I spent two hours cooking.. I made three lasagnas with some leftover sauce for regular spaghetti. (My grandfather doesn't like lasagna.) It went over extremely, extremely well, I think. The lasagna, that is, although the birthday party in general went over well, too, but I haven't gotten to that part yet. I was glad that everyone said that the food was good--I make good spaghetti-based food products and you can't even make me feel guilty about using jars of pasta sauce in them. (Spaghetti-based, if you're wondering, refers more to the sauce than the actual noodles..I make lasagna, spaghetti and baked spaghetti fairly regularly.) Also, while I'm on the subject of the food, I will also say that it was really sweet when my mom announced to the room that I was a good cook. That was during the discussion in which they tried to foist Thanksgiving off on me as a lasagna holiday. (No, alright? Just, no. Totally wrong.) It kind of made me feel like I had arrived at adulthood, though. I couldn't cook much at all before I got married.

Anyway. We arrived at the house a little less than an hour before they were supposed to get back with Dad, and I was running around like a madwoman trying to get the decorations up, cook the food, wrap the present, create a label for one of my aunt's presents, etc. (We went with blue and white streamers and balloons rather than the funeral approach of black--I don't really get the appeal in that so much.) We had everyone park way back from the house, so it really was a surprise when he walked in and we all jumped up out of nowhere. I don't know if he had any ideas about us doing something or not, but if he did, he sure wasn't looking for it today! Everyone had brought gag gifts, and it was really funny to see him open them. (The label I created was for a bottle of "Viagra" from the Old Age Pharmacy, made out to my dad with the directions "Take as directed by wife.") He also received some magnifying glasses and stool softener and plenty of denture-care products and a bag of prunes and hair dye--Just For Men--and also a homemade toupee. He got quite in the spirit of things, although a few of the things made him blush a little.

We ended the night with a rousing game of.. uh, something that needs no name because it will never be played again. After we took the balloons down (fifty of them or something), we piled them up in the living room floor, gave each of the four kids their own corner, and had a little contest to see which of them could pop the most balloons. There was much laughter, and also much joy when the game was over and we all had our eardrums still intact. It was questionable there for a few minutes, but they had fun so it was alright.

I wanted to scan the little thing we put in the newspaper but I forgot to bring it home with me. Maybe next week. I will say, though, that he was quite pleased about it, although he let on like we were in trouble over it. You want to hear the sweetest thing about it, though? My mom called my grandfather (my dad's dad) yesterday to tell him to look at that page of the paper. He said, "you mean that little boy who just turned 50? I've cut that out and put it in a frame on top of the TV." I thought that was soo cute. Anyway, it's time for me to fall into bed now. I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. Today was fun; let's never do it again. :)

(Please don't remind me that my mom turns 50 in January. *sigh*)

Comments

[brief-therapy.livejournal.com]

We have lots of LJ friends in common and I've seen you around in their comments areas and finally took some time to check out your journal (which I've been meaning to do) and so here I am, adding you.

How nice of you to put together a party for your dad. Now start planning that party for you Mom already. :-P

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Hi! I have kind of had that same plan about checking out your journal since seeing you around a lot. I've added you back. :)

[gissa.livejournal.com]

Alternatively, you could ship your mom to Sweden for her 50th birthday where she'd have to plan her own party and buy her own food and cake and invite all of you. (said with tongue jammed in cheek)

How cool that it all turned out so well with your dad!

I hated when the transition from eating at my parents to me cooking Thanksgiving dinner happened too. Somehow, it's just not as fun.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

That is an excellent idea! Although perhaps she wouldn't think so. Actually, I know I need to do something for her birthday but I don't think a surprise party will work out that well because after Dad's party, I think she'll be expecting something..

[courtesy.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it went well!! And good on you you clever chef, I wish I could make lasagna well :)

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Me too! And I'm doubly glad that it's over. ;) It's kind of funny, but people say that when we talk about lasagna but honestly, it's one of the easiest things I make. It takes a little more time than I'd like (hence not making it all that often) but the methods involved are really easy. You could make good lasagna, too!