Thursday was Grandpa’s 64th birthday. Chris had a meeting in Atlanta on Friday so we ceased the opportunity to surprise Grandpa on his birthday. The only person that knew we were coming was Deedee. Shortly before we pulled in the drive Grandpa had mentioned he’d not heard from us to Deedee (hehe, he didn’t know he was getting more than a call from us). We turned the headlights off, grabbed the girls out of the car, and Chris called to ask his dad ‘if he’d received the package we’d sent? FedEx said they delivered it 45 minutes ago” as we were standing at the door ready to yell surprise, happy birthday. Deedee that came to the door first so we had to wait for Grandpa. I think he was surprised! Deedee made sure there was cake for Leia to help Grandpa blow the candles out since that was what she kept telling us she wanted to do when we told her we were going over for Grandpa’s birthday. We all shared cake and ice cream then Leia and Ivy had to get ready for bed since it was already past their bedtimes (they had taken a catnap in the car on the way over).

Surprise Grandpa

Grandpa was surprised; Leia was excited to tell him Happy Birthday

Deedee got some loving too

Leia had talked about Grandpa’s cake since we told her we were going for grandpa’s birthday. Adrian had come over earlier to share some too so that is why it was cut. Leia had fun putting candles on it with Deedee and all the taste was there

We sang “happy day Grandpa” (as Leia says)

Make a wish

Friday, daddy headed to work while the girls played. Grandpa and Deedee took us to Jumping Joes to play on the bouncy houses and slides for a little while. Leia slid a few times with each of us; Ivy got in on the fun too. Grandpa had to leave early to make his tee time but Deedee and mommy told the girls we would play until they were ready to leave. Not long after Grandpa left Leia saw kids in the arcade area so that became where she wanted to play. Her game of choice was ski ball (reminded me of her mommy and aunt Stacy when they were little). Leia was not big enough to get the balls all the way up so mommy and Deedee assisted when needed. Leia picked out a stamp with her tickets she won before we left to run by the grocery store. Leia loves going to the grocery store with mommy because she normally gets a chicken finger or cookie (they are free at Publixs) and gets to drive the car in the buggy. We arrived and there was a different kind of car on the buggy (I think she liked it better) and she ended up eating a banana as we shopped (Deedee bought it when we first arrived).  After lunch and nap time the girls all played waiting on daddy and grandpa to get home to go to dinner with a few of grandpa and deedee’s friends. This was the first time Ms Jenn got to meet Princess Ivy too. Grandpa shared his birthday cookies with the kids Jenn gave him before heading back for a quick bath and going to bed.

Sisterly love early in the morning 🙂

Grandpa slid with Leia first but they were too fast for mommy to get a picture
Deedee slid while mommy and Ivy watched from above

Daddy was not there to stop mommy from taking Ivy down the slide 😉

Ivy wanted to go again so Deedee took her; Leia left Grandpa before the picture was snapped

Saturday, everyone was together for family fun. It was a beautiful morning so we headed to the park after Ivy’s morning nap. Leia took bread to feed the ducks, swung high on the swings, climbed all over the playground equipment, slid, and flew a space shuttle; Ivy helped feed the ducks and swung on the swings with mommy before she curled up in Deedee’s arms for another power nap at the park. Of course in Ivy form, she woke up when we put her in the car to head to our next fun location. From the time Leia was old enough to talk she has looked up at the sky when she’s heard a plane pointed and talked to the plane. So we thought she would enjoy going to the small airport near Grandpa and Deedee’s house let her see planes up close, climb on them, and watch them take off and land. We even got to see one of Grandpa’s friends, Mark take off who waved to us with his plane to us from the sky before leaving. We timed it right to head out since as we were walking back to the car it started sprinkling. We spent the rest of the day at the house playing and enjoying each others company before grilling out that evening.

Leia loves reading books with Deedee

Grandpa was trying to get the neighbors cat since Leia wanted to see it

Leia having fun playing while sissy napped

At the park

Feeding the ducks at the park

Fun on the swings

All about Ivy while Leia plays

Fun on the monkey bars (with daddy’s help)

Leia loved running around sliding

She may end up flying like her Grandpa

Riding on daddy’s shoulders was fun too

What a sweet girl giving daddy love

At the airport

Daddy showing Leia something

Watching planes take off and land

Back home waiting on sissy to wake from her nappy

Grandpa playing motor boat with Ivy

The girls helping cook

We missed getting to see cousins Adrian and Alicia, Aunt Kelly, Tio Diego, Abuelo, and Abuela this trip; we will have to get together soon. Hope your birthday was extra special Grandpa! We love you!!