Mallory's SURPRISE Party!!

I am so very excited to report that we successfully surprised Mallory with a party for her 15th birthday. You might be confused if you know that her birthday is not until November 2nd.  Allow me to explain.  Mallory was so helpful to me in March when we had a surprise party for Mason's 16th birthday.  She totally got into making sure it was fun and memorable for her brother.  As we were planning it, she commented several times that it was going to be so hard for me to surprise her on her 16th.  I knew then that her party would have to be a year early in order for it to be a surprise.  Another important thing to know is that Mal really loves her birthday, and she starts to plan it about a month early.  We had to be creative with her!  I knew that I wanted to have dinner with her friends and go to see a play at the AD Players.  Sherlock Holmes, which I knew she would enjoy, was playing until October 6th.  I felt quite certain that a party 1 year and 1 month before she was expecting it could be a success.

My dear friend Amy was so kind to host the dinner at her house.  Mal thought we were just heading over there for a normal, casual dinner, so there was no suspicion.  Chad did a great job of telling Mal he had something to show her.  As he led her around the corner, she saw all of her friends in the dining room.  It was perfect!!

I need to give a shout out here to Charlie, Amy, and Jenny.  Charlie, who would not like to see this in print, was the greatest!  He was the photographer for the evening, and he did an outstanding job.  Just look at the first picture!  He got the exact shot that I wanted.  He took pictures the whole time we were there, and I am so very thankful.  There was a bit of a funny moment as he was trying to get candid shots while the girls were eating.  Mal looked around and said, "The perfect evening - dinner with my best friends......and Mr. Charlie."  He came back into the kitchen and remarked that for some reason the 14 year old girls were not thrilled with him taking pictures of them eating.  

Jenny was a huge blessing as well.  She helped bring food, serve the girls, and was one of our drivers for the night.  Her biggest contribution may have been the idea for Chad to drop a pen and slowly bend over and pick it up in order to give the rest of us time to sneak through the side door into the dining room. I sat with her during the play, and we had a few pretty funny moments.

Amy.....where do I begin?  She prepared her home, had the table looking beautiful, made the cupcakes, served the girls, and cleaned up a BIG mess that we left when we got up from the table to head to the play.  She was the level headed thinker for the night and even remembered about having a candle and singing Happy Birthday. (I don't think that would have occurred to me, sad to say.)  Saying "Thank You" to these three seems hardly enough.  We are blessed with such amazing friends!!

Amy came up with the idea of having Mal's birthday pictures on the table.  Each picture had two birthday shots in it.  It was so fun to see years 1-14 in order all around the table.

Praying over the guest of honor...

Good idea, Mrs. Amy!  Thanks!

(These were taken at the theater with a phone, so they are not so good.)  The usher noticed that we had a big group, and she asked what the occasion was.  When I told her she wanted to know if they could announce it to the audience and get them to wish Mal a Happy Birthday.  Of course I said yes.  She seemed to be okay with it!

Mal had a great night with family and friends, and I was thrilled that we were able to pull off the surprise!