Italicized comments in the post are added by Sonya :)
Unbeknownst to me there was a lot of scheming going on in the background. Sonya had given me the option of Eagles Tickets or a new phone for my birthday. She was showing higher than normal interest in a particular one I was looking at (Motorola Moto X for those of you who care), and was steering me in that direction. Kyle, a friend from small group, kept telling me how excited he was to "swing the sticks", and even sent me videos to improve my golf game.What a great birthday right? A new phone and going to the driving range with friends.
On Friday Sonya was going over to Jen's house, because "Jen invited us over to hang out". Yeah right! Well as dense as I was I never thought anything of it. Apparently this is the day Sonya and Jen had determined to do all of the setup work for the party I knew nothing about.
Thankfully, a dump truck arrived with a pile of sand while we were there that took Nathan's focus off of the balloons and decorations to watching the big machine!
So when daddy was asking Nathan questions about his day with Jamin not one word gave away what we were doing! Plus, Jen and I had the code word "sandbox" for "party" and did our best to not let the boys know what we were blowing balloons up for! And they didn't think to ask...they just played with them :)
The past weeks Sonya had been paranoid of me seeing an email, or notification on her phone that would give her away. I remember seeing on email from Gary, a friend from our previous small group. The message said something to the effect of "Matt will be fine with 4-on-4". So I start thinking to myself I was going to be playing basketball. So I retrieved my Pumps from the basement that I had never worn, and tried to break them in. Several mornings at the gym I was shooting baskets to get ready for the big game. Well Saturday morning came and went without basketball, so I guess I was wrong!
Mom sent out some Eagles stuff for Matt that was waiting at our door when we got home from Jen's house around 4pm. I was scurrying around putting tired boys down for very late naps, calling my mom about the package, trying to make sure Matt wasn't getting home early (as he had been all week for an unconventional slow week at work making it hard to party plan!), and then trying to hide the contents of the package in the basement hoping he just wouldn't nose around down there.
There was something in the package that I did not ask for!
This ape, that was a practical joke from us to mom for Mother's Day since she always give Nathan crazy stuffed animals! Well, as the card she made Matt said, "Jokes on you!" It was his idea to get her the ape! She decided Nathan needed him and that the ape would be a great way to display Matt's Eagles shirt! She even stuffed air filled bags under his shirt for shoulder pads!
That's a matchbox Front Loader in Jumbo's hands. (His tag said "Jumbo" so that's what Nathan started calling him when were were in PA in June) At least he comes bearing gifts!
This is what Matt woke up to on Saturday morning.
How could he not smile? :) Nathan certainly did!
We had a great breakfast at The Egg & I, one of our favorite breakfast locations.
Sonya gave her gift, and again the option of a phone or tickets. This was given in the form of a photo album with photos of mostly Matt and the boys along with construction paper colored and stickered by Nathan. At the end of the album was a certain amount of money to designate to a football game or a phone. Though we both knew it wasn't enough money to cover either. Little did I know that the choice had already been made... Here's Nathan going through the album with daddy.
Josh enjoyed his pancakes.
We had a very relaxed day ay home getting ready to golf that evening. I hate to admit how much time I spent picking out my outfit to look like I knew what I was doing on a golf course.
As we arrived at Jen & Kyle's I saw Josh & Amber's car, and said "That looks like Josh & Amber". Stupid me, I still thought nothing of it. I said to myself, I guess Josh must like to golf too. Cool, that will be fun.
As I walked in I am sure I didn't give everyone the reaction they were hoping for. I was confused to see a lot of people there for a golf outing. Friends from our old & new small group, work, and Uncle Jerry & Aunt Kathy. I still didn't know what was going on.
Jen had made an amazing cake designed after an Eagles jersey! I am still impressed with the detail every time I look at the pictures.
Finally I was told we were going to play football, and the golf was just an excuse to get me to there house! Good thing I wasted all my money on my special golf balls from a garage sale the day before! I was not prepared at all, but Gary assured me that Sonya had it covered.
And that she did. She even brought my old Eagles Jersey I wore for flag football games. I like golf, but I would play football any day of the week if given the opportunity
Here is the evite that was sent out to our friends. I still can not figure out how I did not find out about this. I must be pretty dense!
With the help of our wives, friends, & family occupying the kids we were able to play a little flag football!
Gary provided the flags as my birthday present with the condition he could use them again. Not really, but he is hoping.
Kyle & Jen's house is a great place to keep the kids entertained, with a trampoline, swing set, sandbox, etc. They were a huge help to Sonya, and very willing hosts.
Here are a few game shots for those that care. As you can see a halftime adjustment was needed. This old man could not keep up with Kyle!
Check out this video of Ryan blowing past me. Apparently I need to play football more often, as it is obvious I need more practice pulling flags!
Our cheering section.
Kyle belligerently arguing the call that Gary had returned the interception for a touchdown. Ha ha, obviously kidding. I don't think "belligerent" & "Kyle" even belong in the same sentence. Gary was stopped short of the goal line though, despite Kyles cry for instant replay. Maybe his stadium needs a technology upgrade.
This was the first of hopefully many flag football games on Kyle's new turf field.
Unfortunately the outcome of the game was not what I would have hoped for. We lost pretty handily, but it was still a lot of fun.
Landon was missing his daddy! (Gary in the blue Lions jersey)
Okay, it's Sonya now. I'm going to finish for Matt! :)
Jen feeding her boys. And Nathan. Apparently, he was eating off of her plate :)
Uncle Jerry & Aunt Kathy keeping Josh well fed!
Half time.
And after the game. Matt got a little bloody. Because that's how he plays. He leaves it all on the field...and the field (or turf) kind of ripped his knees and elbows up in the process!
Lauren & Andy made it!
Let me just say that any bottles you see are ROOT BEER! They were a huge hit, but looking at photos later I realized they might have the appearance of another drink.
Grady!
Family snap!
Josh does this with his arm a lot so I thought it was funny that I got it on camera!
Jim & Karla. So thrilled they came! Very neat couple.
Inside for cake and ice cream and gifts!
Wait, let's open this gift first.
An Eagles t-shirt, Eagles mug and wait...are those Broncos/Eagles tickets?
They sure are! Thanks to Kyle's parents for selling them for face value, and to Matt's parents for buying them for Matt!!! He was thrilled. And he kind of didn't believe it at first as he had been talking for weeks about ways that we could afford some tickets or find a good deal, etc, etc! I endured many pointless conversations!! ha ha.
Happy birthday video! Let's eat the cake.
Ice cream time!
Nathan offering Matt ice cream.
What a sweetheart.
Josh & Amber got Matt a tumbler. Our Josh loved it! He was blowing into it and making noises.
Someone enjoyed their cake!
A fun afternoon and evening!
These two crazy kids finishing off the Doritos!
Thankful for this friend that helped me to totally pull this off.
Yep he's jumping on their couch in his underwear. Only and Kyle & Jen's!
These two are fun to watch growing up together!
All in all it was a very fun and surprising birthday. I felt very loved by all of the guests that made the effort to come, and the time that went into planning the party. Everyone had a part in it, and it was fun to be able to talk to Sonya afterward about how it all came together. Sonya did an amazing job planning a birthday that would be special and meaningful to me. I haven't been able to play football anywhere near as often as I would like.
