The Surprise Birthday Party

Day 14 Sat I think you are a genius. To keep this birthday party a total surprise. This is the way, by writing as a journal entry in the notebook and no talking about this at school. Total surprise. So, 14 days to plan this. Signing off.

I put on my hoodie, grabbed the notebook, leashed up Clarice, who was ready to go for her walk, and out we went. I checked my pockets, whoops... back home. Clarice was confused. She didn't get to do anything. I grabbed the doggie bags off the porch table. Ok, now for your walk.

Clarice and I walked the path that separates my house and Beth's. There is a large tree in Beth's side yard. Two huge branches make a V shape that is partially covered with leaves. Perfect spot. I placed the notebook in the V. I looked up to see Beth at her back window, giving me the thumbs up. I replied and continued with clarice's walk.

Day 13 Sun So cool is right. Thanks. The V in the tree makes for a perfect spot to put the notebook, sort of hidden. I have to take out the garbage, part of my chores. So, picking up the notebook from the tree is a no brainer. I write in the notebook then put it in my top drawer for later drop off.

I really think that this way of communicating will keep the Bparty more secret. We don't want to talk about this to anyone at school. Such a challenge to keep secrets at school. I don't know about you, but there are times I think I will explode.

Oh, did you hear that James is talking about a party for Bgirl as well? See? Everyone will know. Just the way it is. We have our work cut out for us.

Ok, the party plan, whose house for the party? With that being written, we will have to tell our parents. And soon! I don't know of any events that my parents are planning. Never know though. I'm thinking between your mom and my mom, the food part will be done. Hopefully. Oh, those with special requests, vegans and such like, well, would it be okay to ask them to bring their own special food? Sound tacky? We can have salads and stuff like that, but I mean, some of that unique plant-based food. I don't know if my mom or your mom know what or how to make it.

Ok, enough about the food, for now, who are we inviting? My thoughts, keep this Bparty to our class only, else the list will be over 100.! So, 30ish? Your thoughts...Party gifts? Party plates, decorations, ok, your turn, later. I will write out the names of our classmates on a separate sheet.

Day 12 Mon I know, seems like so much to do in such a short time. How do party planners do this? My dad would say, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. So true. So, I am thinking, first get the go ahead to mess up our homes from our parents or else, Plan B. So, ask your parents as will I.

We can still plan the rest of the Bparty and wait till we hear from our parents.

Food, keep it simple. What are the musts? Chips, salsa, that 7 layer bean dip my mom and I make. Hmm, I think we all like tacos, so maybe a make your own taco bar? Buffet style? Or grill burgers and hotdogs? Hmm, both would be way much I think. The vegan and gluten free group? I really don't know. Ask your mom. Just veggies and salads? IDK

Drinks? Mineral water with limes and lemons. I know we don't drink soda. Hey, if they want soda, the invites can bring their own.

Cake? Have to have a cake. What kind? Truthfully, I personally do not care for the taste of gluten free cake. What cake does Bgirl like? Does she eat the chocolate or carrot cake at school? Keep it simple. Taking Clarice for a walk and drop off. See you tomorrow. Oh, my parents say ok.

Day 11 Tues My parents are ok with the Bparty also, Yay! Geez, I go blank with all the decisions and planning that goes into this event stuff. Ok, what's up with all this homework? Are the teachers behind somewhere? Ha. And that fire drill. I nearly fell off my chair.

I asked my mom about the vegan stuff. She asked me if I was going vegan. No, just asking for the vegan classmates who are invited to the Bparty, if they come.

Oh wow, invites. Forgot about the invites. Oh great, all this planning and we will have to text everyone to come to the Bparty. I'll look into this.

So, this coming Saturday for the Bparty. Your house, my house? And how do we get Bgirl to come to the party? OMG, what if she has other plans? I think we will have to tell her parents so they can help out. Thoughts? Have to tell her parents. Plan B or C if Bgirl has other plans?

What time for the birthday party? Good thing most of our classmates live fairly close by.

Oh, just had a thought? Hey, brilliant idea, if I say so myself, Let's have a trial run, a trial Party? Let me explain. How about a sleep over? The sleep over can be on the Friday before Bgirl's birthday party? One of our houses hosts the sleep over and the other the actual birthday party. I am excited just thinking about it. What do you think? Girl's only sleep over. Oh wait, more planning, food, stuff to do. Biting off more than one bite of the elephant! Can't think anymore. Later.

Day 10 Wed Great plan, I know, a pool party sleepover at my house and the Bparty at your house. Perfect. I'll asked my mom if she has plans with her friends for the pool. Nope, all clear. My mom suggested a pizza/pool/sleepover. Maybe a movie outside. Then breakfast here, then sometime on Saturday, we all move to your house for the actual Bparty. All the party stuff will be set up for the party at your house so that makes your place off limits to anyone except you, me and of course our parents. Thoughts?

Day 9 Thurs Looks like this elephant is getting a bit bigger! So, as I see it, a pool/pizza sleep over party on Friday and a Birthday party on Saturday. Games? Can swim as well, have to get more floaties for the pool. I thought of a jumpy world thing. However, I think you and I would be the only ones who would enjoy it. So nope.

We pretty much have the food taken care of. Brilliant, self-serve tacos and burger and brats at your place, with salads. Pizza and salads at my place.

What do we need? Invites. I looked around when I was shopping with my mom. Nothing said, buy me. Plates, we have trash bags. Cups, cutlery. Ketchup and relish, have to get that. Cake, taken care of. Invites given at school, when?

And, most important, decorations. No clue. Have to think about that. Later.

Day 8 Fri Clever me, I heard Bgirl talking about how she really likes cats and lavender. Probably giving hints to her birthday guests, who don't yet know they will be invited. I am getting nervous now. This huge plan is actually coming together. Next week, pool sleep over party. Then the Bparty. We are actually going to pull this off, aren't we? Wow!

Did you hear about that fight at school? Maybe not, it was just before the busses left. These 2 guys, not our grade. If they were, cross 2 off the list.

Oh, almost forgot, mom wants to go to Phx tomorrow. Her cousin got into a car accident, minor, but his leg was broken. She is driving there for some moral support and to help out where she is needed. I would ask if you wanted to come along, however, we will be at my cousin's house most of the time. Hey, there is that huge party supply place near my cousin's. I will ask mom if we could go there. So much of a bigger selection than in the village. So, don't get anything till I get back. This is so fun. Cups, napkins, plates, napkin rings? invites?

Day 7 Sat I hope your mom's cousin will be ok. I heard about the fight. They were not from our class. Dumb.

So cool. Great that you can look at a larger selection of decorations. I'll come over later to look and give you some money, unless it is too late.

Is your cousin's car totaled? Hope your cousin heals quickly. Broken legs are literally a pain. Ha Ha. Anything broken can be a pain.

Counting down, less than a week for the pizza sleepover. Bgirl has to know something is going on because no one is talking about her birthday. Invites go out Monday with a vow of silence. I think that will be plenty of time to RSVP. I am hoping this will be a big surprise. I am surprised and it isn't my birthday.

I am about to burst when I see bgirl in 1st and 3rd periods. She talks about her birthday when her group of friends ask her. I listen. So cute, she doesn't want any fuss. So sorry Bgirl. You are going to get a big fuss!

Wait. A scary thought. What if James is doing what we are doing, keeping everything quiet? Holy cow!!!

Day 6 Sun We got home rather late. OMG, I bought some really cool stuff. And I remember James talking about a party. I don't think anyone else is doing this sort of thing like we are doing. And if there are more parties, we will be the first cause we have the sleepover. Ha. I have the invites, 30, cute cat ones. I have your list of names. I will hand them out tomorrow.

Day 5 Mon Oh, thank you for the invite, ha ha. They are perrrfect. RSVP via text, good idea. And the vow of silence. Love it! Yes, I agree, just our class. Count down now.

Day 4 Tues All 30 invites responded yes. Holy Cow! And there were comments added, " knew you were going to do something like this" and "I was thinking about having a Bparty for her, then I got your invite". Bgirl text yes, pool sleep over. I didn't invite her to her own Bparty. She is going anyway.

Day 3 Wed Hump Day, 2 days till sleepover pizza/pool. Then the Birthday party. Oh, so fun and nervous. Oh, maybe you notice, we all talk in study hall, then there is the awkward silence. I have to laugh. I wrote out on a sheet of paper what we have for food and such for Friday's sleep over. A final check. Any leftovers can be taken to your house on Saturday.

Day 2 Thurs Oh yes, I have to hold in the laughter, especially when Bgirl talks about the sleepover. I about bust a gut. Ok, I went over the last-minute stuff. Thank you for the sheet. All looks great. do you have a feeling we forgot something? I really don't. See you tomorrow at 4ish, early to help set up.

Sunday Well, well, well, I am proud of us. And our classmates were amazed. And Bgirl, did you see her eyes widened and mouth drop at her Birthday party set up? The sleep over was a lot of fun. I think I ate way more than I needed to. The food was sooooo yummy. We will have to do sleep overs a few more times. And your mom making cookies, warm with vanilla ice-cream and hot fudge. Nice touch. Sugar overload. Decorations were great. Have to take another trip there for Halloween stuff.

We did it! Ate the whole elephant, bite by bite. Great job!

Oh, I need to ask, did you notice a light out in my back yard, by the fence? It seemed to linger, move a little then disappeared. IDK. Maybe neighbors with a flashlight. Just asking. Later.