Yesterday was a big day for our family. Brad turned 40!
We wanted to make it extra special for him, so the kids and I came up with some fun ideas.
We started brainstorming on Friday, shopped on Saturday, made clues on Sunday, made the banner, French Silk pie, and tied up loose ends on Monday. It was wonderful to see the kids enthusiasm and participation in all of it.
Rather than do one big thing that equaled forty, we divided it up into four parts:
I am not a last minute person. I don't like to feel rushed, and I really try to plan things in a way to minimize chaos (which is really difficult with five kids who are very loud and energetic, especially when they're excited).
So, I gathered the kids and told them my ideas and each of them decided to focus on a different part of the celebration.
We started brainstorming on Friday, shopped on Saturday, made clues on Sunday, made the banner, French Silk pie, and tied up loose ends on Monday. It was wonderful to see the kids enthusiasm and participation in all of it.
Rather than do one big thing that equaled forty, we divided it up into four parts:
- A ten clue treasure hunt (Sawyer).
- Ten of his favorite things to eat. (Lucy, Charlie, & I picked them out and then Charlie wrapped them).
- Ten things we love about Brad or our favorite memories with him (This actually ended up being way more than ten because we had family and friends send theirs as well).
- Ten minutes of massage. (Brad loves to have his back and feet massaged. Sometimes that’s the consequence the kids earn when they haven’t obeyed. We ran out of time last night for this, but he’s happy to take a rain check).
We had a yummy dinner of taco salad (Nana’s recipe), which is a family favorite. And then went on the treasure hunt. Just as Brad finished opening presents, another surprise came. Someone came to the door with our new Suburban, which the kids have affectionately named “The Birch.”
We bought it through an auction in Utah and one of the college students in our ward drove it home.
The kids have been so eager to finally get it (especially Sawyer and Charlie), constantly asking “when will it be here?”, that Brad couldn’t refuse taking them for a ride when it came.
We bought it through an auction in Utah and one of the college students in our ward drove it home.
The kids have been so eager to finally get it (especially Sawyer and Charlie), constantly asking “when will it be here?”, that Brad couldn’t refuse taking them for a ride when it came.
Brad's mom sent a shoe box full of chocolate chip cookies. I guess one thing we all know about Brad is how much he enjoys treats.
We finished the evening reading all the memories people had written about Brad. He was very touched and appreciative. Of course, we had to finish the night on a sweet note for our "sweet tooth", enjoying French Silk pie (his favorite).
I’m so glad we could make Brad’s birthday special because he’s one special guy!
P.S. Ruby was enjoying the celebrations from her bed...
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