Successful 30th Surprise...

August 16th and Michelle turns 30. A date that gives her something every woman loves, another year under their belt.

Thursday night we went out to dinner with the typical crew. Michelle's parents and brother, myself, Andrew and our very close friends Charlie, Sherry and Kim.

In typical fashion we went to eat at Connors Steak House in Turkey Creek. We grace this establishment ever few months, but apparently since Andrew was born it has become an annual place to celebrate Michelle's birthday. Strangely enough we have sat at the same table 2 of the last 3 times we've been.

Dinner was great! Sadly, the evening came to a close and we lazily headed home with full bellies.

Soon after getting home we found ourselves snuggled up in bed mindlessly watching TV. Andrew was between us hugging on T.C. - his build-a-bear triceratops. Truly was a Kodak moment, but honestly, if I looked anything like I felt - I would look like Al Bundy in a stained wife beater tank top with his hand down his pants. (Please note I don't sit around the house like that.)

Now let me rewind a bit here to set up VERY QUICKLY for the events that took place on Sunday. I had been thinking for quite a while what to get Michelle for the all important big Three - Oh. To add to the fun we have Andrew and anyone who has a kid(s) understands that they come first, and just about everything you do has them ahead of yourself. Lovingly so mind you!

Well, in this case August puts that to the Xtreme! Andrew's birthday is August 5th and I've come to realize over the last two years that all subsequent years will completely drain the McArthur Vault. This of course leaves me in a fine pickle - no cash to spring for the beautiful wife.

So, I brain stormed on something nice and inexpensive to get Michelle.

I'll make something!!!

Well, the charm of construction paper birthday cards apparently wore off in early elementary school.

So, I thought to cook something or to prepare a picnic or to setup something else romantic. But yet again, the child unintentionally gets in the way. You do need to understand; having Andrew around IS indeed the most incredible and rewarding experience and I would not trade it for anything. Just know, that he adds another variable to the already frustratingly difficult task of finding something meaningful for your wife on her birthday, much less a large round number birthday like 30.

To cut this short I decided to throw her a surprise birthday party. Something that took approximately a week and a half to properly prepare. I won't go into all the hiding and sneaking and other wonderful hurdles that presented itself.

I will say this though. I now have a greater appreciation for my wife and my mom and mother-in-law and really the female mass in general.

This past week and a half has forced me to do things I normally don't have to or want to do. Things like ordering cakes/cookies, coordinate colors, balloons, streamers, shopping for food, drinks, cleaning, guest lists....AAAHHGG! I'm not very good at these types of things. It requires a strange and mystical level of organization and understanding that only woman have.

Looking back at everything it seems tedious and trite, but at the time was quite the opposite. Work doesn't get me this stressed...

We were out at Michelle's parent's lake house and Sunday was finally here. All the guests have been schooled on when, where and how to arrive.

It's noon!!! I took Michelle out on a boat ride and a picnic of PB&J's, potato chips and cookies. Yes, I know it's oozing romance. While we were out, the lake house was flooded with people setting up music, the decore, the cake, the balloons, the presents, etc... Things I wasn't able to do and for that I thank everyone SO much. No one wants to hear, "you're invited to a party, but you have to set up everything." but I digress.

An hour later Michelle and I return from our delicious picnic and boat ride to discover about 40 people waiting on the dock to wish Michelle a happy birthday. She seemed surprise and she even said she had no clue, but honestly I think she knew. We'll never know I suppose, and really it doesn't matter. The party was fantastic! Most everyone was able to make it and thanks to Michelle's parents we had plenty of food. All in all everything went off without a hitch and good times were had by all.

Thanks again to everyone who helped, and made this such a special and memorable day.

-Snack