Mom Is 50!?! - Can You Tell?

The first weekend in April was an eventful one for us. We made a quick trip to Vermont to help celebrate my mother turning 50! It was exciting to try and help plan the celebration on such short notice - things had just been too hectic and crazy in her life to know if we could even try to plan something. Even that weekend things got hectic again - but it all came together and she was truly surprised (my kids didn't even give it away!).


While we were there, the community was putting on an Easter Egg Hunt - complete with crafts before hand. So though the first day and half we didn't see much of Mom, that Saturday was a day for her and my kids - and it was so much fun (even though the hunt was held outside, in the freezing rain).

Bethie and Gabi ended up in the same hunting group, and aside from a slipped off shoe at one point, they had a blast. It was much harder to find their eggs than it was for the boys. Braeden, Peter and Jeremy were in the little group - where all the eggs were easy to see and easy to grab. Braeden and Peter were so funny - they would find an egg, but then refuse to touch it (because it was wet). So Mom and I picked up the eggs they found. After a couple of times with that, Peter found another egg, not so obviously wet, and picked it up. He made a little face and told me it was wet, but then put it in his basket and went on for another one. That allowed me a chance to run off and try to get a couple pictures of the girls - since they were on the playground quite a distance away.

They had a really nice time - and so did we.

After that we headed over the mountain to the party - Mom fully expected to get pictures with her grandkids... we owe her big time... and she didn't figure it out until we drove into the parking lot and she saw Craig who lives quite a ways away. She had a nice time - we had asked everyone to write down a memory about her or something they admired about her. This was really special for her because she often feels that she has not made a difference in the lives of her family. She often hears the negative and lets it make her think she's not as wonderful and special as she is (we all do this at times).

She also mentioned how special it was for her to have her grandchildren there. Almost all were able to be there - and to watch them playing together and having a good time. She loves those moments (though they are few) so very much.

Over all, she had a wonderful time - her heart was filled with love and gratitude. That's what makes a party special.