Mamaw Erma was turning 86 and she'd never had a surprise party before. It was time.
April's mom, Ginny, worked feverishly for months to pull this thing together. She had the brilliant idea to combine the party with a family reunion and spent countless hours tracking down kinfolk (see, there's proof I spent the weekend in the hills of TN - I said 'kinfolk').
Doing all of this behind Mamaw's back was no easy task - especially since Ginny lives with Mamaw.
Mamaw is sharp. But she's also hard of hearing, so that helped some. If the hearing aides were on the dresser, it was safe to get to the bat phone and make some calls.
After several conversations, it was decided (without my input) that April and Mamaw would go to get their hair and nails done on Saturday afternoon while Ginny and I ran around like chickens with our heads cut off buying supplies and decorating the pavilion.
Something. So. Wrong. With. This.
"You don't even know HOW to get a manicure!" I argued, sizing up April's non-existent nail beds.
When she shrugged her shoulders and said she was the best person to get Mamaw around town and to the park, I had no recourse. Well, none that made any sense.
So, that's what happened. April took Mamaw to get beautified and Ginny and I set everything up.
These pictures tell the rest - we had a blast!
The view from the top of the hill, heading down toward the pavilion:
Ape's mom, Ginny, testing out the noise makers in preparation for Mamaw's arrival:
Mamaw Erma arrives! And is very confused. She wants to know if we're aware that a bunch of her family is here...what a coincidence!
Mamaw Erma and Teri, April's sister:
Claire, Judy and Apes pose for picture 1,232:
Bindy the bubble-eating dog (and yes, I kissed her on the teeth and jowels..shut up):
April and Erin (the fiance of April's nephew, Ray):
Hailey, April's GREAT niece, getting busy with some sidewalk chalk:
Jay and Teri (April's sister and brother-in-law...at one time, Mamaw actually thought I was hitting on Jay. True story...):
Me and Hailey (and the silly string I thought was a good idea...):
Until right about THIS moment....
Once Hailey was schooled on respecting her elders and told only to aim for her friends, everything was right with the world:
One of Ape's family members dug up this old photograph of some great-great (great?) family members (that expression you see on the baby is EERILY similar to the face I make when April tries to make me hang up my clothes):
Hailey with Mamaw's cake:
Hailey terrified the big pink rose will get eaten before she has a chance to claim it:
Me recreating all of April's formative-year school pictures:
Ray, Hailey and Erin:
She's invisible. You can't see her.
Apes never walks. I have to carry her everywhere. It's exhausting.
Trying out the "baby makes three" photo :)
It was a fantastic day. I'm honored to be a part of this family.
Mamaw truly enjoyed herself:
That last picture still makes me smile.
10 comments:
looks like you guys had a fun time! i know how much i enjoy family times like that. and mamaw erma looks great!
Okay, so you are in good shape - if April's grandma looks that good at 86, they have some great genes.
What a lot of fun that looks like. And, you're right, the last picture looks like she's in 7th heaven.
Kewl!!!!! Ya'll did a great job!! Glad you caught up with yourselves in the back hills of Tennessee!
wonderful... simply wonderful
What a great surprise!! It must have been wonderful for her to be surrounded by her family. You are an awesome daughter-in-law for passing on the manicure to help set up ; ) Plus it was good bonding time for you and April's mom. Loved all the photos.
A belated Happy Birthday to Mamaw!!!
Heather, you hit on Jay, didn't you? Until you admit it, we cannot help. Okay?
Natalie: we had a ball...once we figured out how to hang the big birthday-sheet and had coolers to hold all the ice we bought (note to self: never buy more ice than you have cooler space. And if you must put the ice somewhere, on the hot pavement is probably not the best spot). Mamaw Erma is a trip. She still calls me "that girl" - but swears she loves me. I can't hold her responsible for not remembering my name - she IS 86! :)
Lori: You know, I've not thought about that yet, but you are so right! Her great grandfather lived to be 96 (and I believe he was still doing some work on the farm when he passed). Which means she never has any excuse for not getting to the store and buying me diet coke when we become elderly. Yeah...that last photo is my favorite. You can just see the contentment on her face. It was a special moment and I'm glad I captured it.
j24: We usually always manage to have ourselves a ball there in the hills :) Wait till you see my next post with pictures of our work on the farm!
weese: yep. my sentiments exactly. both april and i feel fortunate to have such wonderful families.
reticent writer: now, just so we're clear, i didn't PASS up the manicure. that shit was never offered to me. I told April she couldn't say a word when we got back home and I scheduled a manicure for myself. She began to whine something about her and mamaw only paying $6 because they were going to a beauty school. I was like "waa" - mine will cost $35 and you can just zip it. I'm still getting adjusted to her having a french manicure...
Margo: way to call me out. I did, in fact, "hit" on him. Which is why Mamaw thought I was flirting. We were all in Myrtle Beach and I smacked him on the ass for teasing me. She witnessed that and immediately assumed I was doing the gradeschool "you always tease the one you love" stuff. Very funny. She told April's mom and we all had a big laugh. I think Mamaw has probably caught on that April and I seem to like each other. It has been three years.... :)
What great stories and photos -- the family life, tolerance that you experience is truely a blessing and a gift.
-janet
mlc: thank you so much for your comment. I count my blessings every day that Apes and I are fortunate to have such supportive families. It means a great deal to both of us!
Awwww....ALL those pictures made me smile! :) HUGS to you all!!!
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