I've been known to throw some last minute parties, but this was pretty unlike dh and I. After two unsuccessful attempts to have a party for our Memorial Day Weekend "baby" (no one could come to a Friday night movie party, and soccer consumed the rest of the weekend) , we decided to surprise EJ with dinner at the pizza party up the road. Dh whipped up a set of bilingual invites ("It's a Surprise/Esta Una Sorpresa") and we snuck around at the semis handing them out. TQ did her part to deliver them Tuesday to school friends, and mom made some stealth phone calls while "reviewing" his planner.

He may have been a little disappointed to hear that I was running late and that Dad and I had decided to take his cake and grab a pizza instead of me whipping up his favorite Caesar salad, but he got over it when his entire soccer team and most of his school buds arrived for giant pizzas, cupcakes (his favorite Malted Milk, of course), and a gorgeous giant cookie that his big sister made and decorated for him (complete with homemade frosting).

We were a bit surprised by the awesome turnout on a school night, and while we probably didn't have enough for them to do, they found a way to amuse themselves...a giant balloon fight ensued with the decorations. Thank goodness the owners of this small pizza operation are pretty laid back!

I did find it funny that as my kids get older,the gift of choice (giving and receiving) is cash and/or gift cards. He is one happy boy and will be most diligent about his thank you notes. As soon as they are done, he's got the funds for his long-coveted Wii (TQ and the Princess will be kicking in their share as well). Looks like Camp Video Game for my kids this summer.