Since last year's big 3-0 was a bit uneventful, we decided to do something unexpected for this year's birthday. And what else to do then throw a surprise birthday party?!
We decided to do it "Eric-style", low key and casual. Not too big, just about right.
We hit a bump in the road the previous week when I was sure someone had slipped and told Eric about the party. Luckily it was just me being suspicious. He swears he had no idea.
Of course the week leading up to the party was total chaos and I had a million things going on. Work ramped up and it's a bit difficult to prep in advance for a party that has to be kept under wraps until the moment of. And then Eric decided he wanted to come home 45 minutes early (which was before the food was to be delivered). Luckily I was able to pull a little attitude and told him to get some work done and come home when he was supposed to. Somehow, thanks to a lot of help, we pulled it off. And I have to say, it was a night to remember.
The guest of honor was actually surprised!!
Side note - the one thing I was totally disappointed in was my pictures. Didn't take nearly as many as I would have liked and the ones I did take, did not turn out all that well. But, what are you going to do.....
So like I said, we did it up "Eric-style" and one of the major components of the evening was food and drinks. For dinner we had Leo's Coney Island. This is significant on many levels. Eric loves Coney Island (as do I), grew up with it, and it's only a Detroit thing. UNTIL NOW. A Leo's opened in Chicago. Brilliant. We've been talking about how that would be the greatest thing ever for years (literally since we moved to Chicago in '01). And it happened!! Just in the last six months. So what else to do but have them cater the party! It may have been miles from fancy, but it was gorgeously delicious. Sometimes it's just the simplest things that make you happy.
Another Detroit element I brought to the party was Labatt Blue Light. Yes, most people think this is weird, but Eric loves LBL and you can't buy it in Chicago. Very unfortunate. After many calls, and much help, a store in the suburbs was located with this particular beverage (thank you KS and SB!). Thank goodness for friends who grew up in Detroit and can appreciate the importance of this specific beer. I personally hate beer and could care less about LBL - but as we know, this party was not about me.
Now who's not craving a Coney Dog?
Some of our fave beverages of the night....
We had milk too!!
More important than the food and drinks were the guests who attending our little shindig. We had people travel from out of town which was just incredible. There's nothing like being surrounded by the people you love the most. It was such a happy family. Everyone there was family.
Our only family pic of the night. Clearly not our best shot, but the best we could get given our circumstances. I'll explain more later.
Of course, the true stars of the show were the little ones. I love how our parties have changed and now there are little rug rats taking charge. You just hear yelling, crying, laughing, chaos, things being thrown, tantrums. It's perfect.
And our little one seemed to take the lead role of crabby tantrum-thrower. How is it that Avery always knows when we have an event that evening? She never takes a good afternoon nap when I need her to. Couple the crappy nap with a ton of people and our little girl just gets overtired and overwhelmed. We had some good moments, but by 7pm she was lights out (thank goodness)! :)
No joke, the best shot I could get of her all evening. To be fair, I was running around like a chicken with her head cut off so I wasn't as focused on taking pics as I would have liked.
Max, you know I love you.
And Mac has just become such a little man. Could he be any cuter? Oh, and I should point out, that beer is not Mac's - I promise.
Oh and gorgeous little Stella. The most perfect guest. Yes, I could have taken pictures of you for hours. Instead I had 30 seconds :( I LOVE her hair.
Back to Max. I don't know what song is playing in that perfect little head, but I want to jam along!
This picture is awesome. Oh, how things have changed. Those high school days are long gone and look at you two - three kids (plus one on the way) between the two of you! I love how none of the kids are cooperating. Avery is running away, Mac is staring at Jason and Stella is in his armpit. Thanks for putting on a smiling face amidst the ruckus.
Here you go - a nice one of Jason and kiddos.
Back to eating. For dessert we had an ice cream sundae party. I have to give myself props, it was quite a hit and so perfectly yummy. Little guy inside completely agreed.
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At this point, the kids all went to bed and the adults did as well. And when I reference adults, I don't mean us, I mean OUR parents!
So then it was time to get down to business.
Oh, the girls. We can make any night fabulous and we sure came through on Eric's big night. The Chicago Five. Thank you for helping me plan this for many many months!!!
Did I also mention that we think we are totally hilarious?
With our most favorite visitor ever. Please, why can't you move to Chicago????
This shot is hilarious. And not because we all look horrible. Because Laura is clearly looking at my tummy and I know she's thinking, "oh my goodness, that thing is huge. there has to be two in there" :)
I love my sisters.
So as the evening turned into night, I took a breather for a second and took it all in. I sat down for a moment, water in hand, feet swelling by the second, house looking like a disaster zone, and just felt happy. We were surrounded by amazing friends who were our family. Brothers and sisters we've known since before we could drive when marriage and kids were in the "15-20 years from now" conversation. And while every detail may not have been perfect, in the end it was just what I wanted. Eric to be surrounded by people he loves and people who love him back.
And that's what he got.
So, with Coney dogs, Labatt Blue Light, ice cream sundaes, babies, kids, parents, grandparents, siblings and friends, we toasted to Eric's 31 years. While he claims he hates surprises, I don't think he could have imagined a more perfect way to celebrate his birthday.
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