The Big 30

A few months ago I ran into my daughter's one friend and mentioned how I wanted to plan a 30th birthday party for her. Excited she said yes, I'll help.

My daughter is one that does not like surprises or being the center of attention. Knowing her boss I was able to find out how far in advance she had to plan her schedule so I could pick a day for her. Once I picked a date I told her I was trying to plan a day that her brother could be here from New York with his family. Then we'd all go out to dinner for her birthday. Unfortunately, with his job I knew he couldn't be here but it gave us day to work with.

I had scheduled it at a local restaurant, Hoss's for Saturday, September 19. Then I told Jessie to schedule that day off for our get together. I made the invitations to come and purchase your own meal or come for cake to help Jessie over the hill. Thank goodness for Facebook. That was my main location for keeping in touch with and finding her friends.

Now Jessie is a big worry wort. Always has been. As time grew closer I was constantly warned I had better not have them sing Happy Birthday to her. She even told her boss, who was coming, her husband and anyone else how worried she was about that.. As I said, she was a big worry wort.

So the day came. Her friends were a great help. One supplied many decorations from parties she had before. Another worked on games to play and made Jessie an Over the Hill kit. I bought a bunch of little gifts for the winners, wrapped them in newspaper and then found black ribbon with spider webs on it to tie around them. I also made little snack bags for all of the kids. With back to school sales I found boxes of crayons for a quarter a piece. I bought several boxes and put each one in a zip lock bag to hand out. That with coloring books kept the kids busy. I took an old cane and put a big black bow on it. I had a cake made with a comical picture of a woman running from several candles.

I also made a slideshow with pictures of Jessie growing up. I used funny pictures and accomplishments. I set it to the song The Climb by Miley Cyrus. They worked out well together.

Finally, the time came and everyone was in the room of the restaurant waiting. Her husband, of course, was in on it but we did not tell her 6 and 8 yr old boys so they were as surprised. I had mentioned to her a couple days before that my husband's knees were really bothering her. Then when I met her at the door and he was not with me I told her he had to go sit down already.

I made the mistake of parking my truck around the side of the restaurant with everyone else. When my daughter and family pulled in and parked she became suspicious looking for my truck. I was inside at the window watching her wonder around the parking lot. I tapped on the glass and motioned for her to come in. She did finally come in but was again talking about me having the waitresses sing to her. So I approached the waitresses that were in on it and asked them not to sing Happy Birthday to my daughter. Well that totally embarrassed my daughter more which I enjoyed. I know, I'm bad.

The waitress took a fake order and then lead us to the room. As Jess started to enter she noticed a friend and tried to back out quickly. I was of course, behind her so I pushed her forward. When she entered everyone started singing Happy Birthday as she turned ten shades of red. After that she really had fun. We all did.

Her friend that supplied the Over the Hill kit decided to share it with her. Jessie's two boys also helped. The kit contained a pair of glasses with thick lenses, an AARP card, a giant whistle to blow if she'd fall down and couldn't get up, hair curlers, the rain caps older ladies wear, muscle cream, etc. Jess was a good sport about it all.

So the party was a great success and later her friends and she went out to celebrate a little more. Her mother that is further over the hill was too tired. So my baby will be 30 tomorrow. Life just flies to fast.