My mom's 70th birthday!

My mother's milestone 70th birthday went off without a hitch.  Almost two months of planning came to fruition when her two best friends, Janet Henderson and Peggy Stemmons, drove here from Baton Rouge to surprise her.

We planned for them to stay at the JW Marriott over the weekend prior to her actual birthday.  We made dinner reservations at Ruth's Chris,  pedicure appointments at Woodhouse Day Spa and Ben performing at the JW.  Just a fulfilled weekend for the birthday girl!

It all started with a text message, on July 26th,  to Janet and Peggy asking if they could drive/fly here for my mom's birthday and of course they were very excited to do so!  So the plans were in the making and I am SO not good at surprises as I just want to spill the beans but I didn't.  Came close a few times as did my dad but we didn't.   I made the reservation at the JW for the weekend of the 16th, Janet and Peggy decided they would drive here so now just time for the details.

We decided that we would tell my mom that it would be she and I staying at the JW for her "birthday weekend" and just make it mother/daughter time.  Not that I wouldn't have loved that but I knew she would be over the moon having Janet and Peggy here.

On Grandparents Day we decided to have dinner with my parents and that we would give her the card with the JW reservation in it telling her that she and I would be staying there the next weekend for her birthday.  She was excited and looking forward to the weekend "together".  As we were leaving BJ's Brewhouse my mom told Ben that the weekend was going to be so much fun and he said "you have no idea."  Well that instantly got her mind wondering to the thought that there had to be something more than just she and I staying at the JW together.  She thought maybe Janet and Peggy would be visiting, which I had no idea that she thought that.  We had Janet text her later in the week that they had to move her boarders into an apartment that Saturday (staying at their house due to the flood).  So that solidified to my mom that it couldn't be them coming in.   She went back to thinking that it was for sure just she and I.

The day (Friday the 16th) had arrived and I was SO excited!!  I could not wait to see my mom's reaction when she saw Janet and Peggy.  Emma and I met my dad for lunch (or breakfast for him) and then we headed to the JW to check in the girls for their weekend!  We wanted to make sure that when Janet and Peggy arrived they wouldn't have to do anything but get their keys and go to their room.

That evening Emma and I picked up Janet and Peggy at the JW.  I had stayed in contact with them throughout the day to make sure they were doing ok and to pinpoint time of arrival.  We went up to the room and they were getting ready and already partaking in some good wine.  They brought my mom a beautiful box full of goodies and memories the three of them had made together!  It was SO thoughtful and sweet...which is them summed up in two words!  My dad was driving my mom to Ruth's Chris and Ben and Cash were headed to the restaurant together.

My plan was to make sure I was there with Janet and Peggy along with Ben and Cash before my parents arrived.  So we got there about 5:45pm, then Ben and Cash arrived so we sat at our table and as soon as my dad was parking Janet and Peggy went to the bathroom and waited for my text letting them know my parents were now at the table.  They could see my parents walk in so they were ready!  (side note:  I couldn't let Emma talk to my mom all day because I had already told her Janet and Peggy's names and I knew she would repeat them to my mom.)  That decision was on point because as my mom sat down Emma said "Nana do you have friends?".  My mom said "no, I don't have friends here" and E proceeds to say "where are Peggy and Janet?"  Ben and I both tried shoving more bread in her face to get her to eat vs talking.  Thank goodness my mom didn't hear the last question as right after E asked it Janet and Peggy walked up behind my mom and the tears started flowing!  My mom was SO surprised!!!!!  Genuinely surprised!!!!  I was so happy for her to have her two best friends, of almost 40 years, here to help her celebrate her milestone birthday! It could not have gone any better...it was just perfection!!!!  I wish I had gotten her reaction on camera but I wasn't that quick!

We had a great meal and just a great time!!  So much laughter and joy! After dinner I drove the girls back to the JW and dropped them off to enjoy the rest of their evening.  The next day they enjoyed coffee outside on the massive patio and then headed to the Woodhouse for their pedicures.  They finished their afternoon at Nordstrom for lunch with a little sangria! That evening we joined them at the hotel as Ben was playing which was a treat as Janet and Peggy had not yet heard him.

Emma was taking pictures and caught this one of my mom! 

I couldn't resist a pic with my girl with the full moon behind us.

The next day, Sunday, the girls checked out and headed to my parents to stay another day as they wanted to see my parents house and just enjoy more time together before having to head back.  We went downtown for lunch at La Margarita that afternoon.  Again...yummy food and great company.

Cash was getting a caricature drawn of himself...turned out super cute!

Janet and Peggy headed out Monday and we planned on celebrating my mom again on her actual birthday so the fun was not ending.  We headed to my parents this evening for pizza and yummy desserts.  I got everyone their own personal dessert and we loaded each one with a candle.  After singing happy birthday and enjoying our desserts Ben and the kids went for a bike ride.  It was Emma's first time in the bike seat on Ben's bike.  I was nervous but she loved it!!  Of course we all knew she was much safer with Ben on the bike than with me considering my bike riding skills are nonexistent.  I don't know why this is as I knew how to ride a bike as a kid.

Happy 70th Birthday to my mom!!  I know it was a memorable one!!