Tad loves birthday's, too. He even has his own programmed in his Blackberry to send him a reminder exactly at the stroke of midnight each May 15. I have always celebrated his special day with something grand. I was a bit stumped as to what I could do this year. Zoo Atlanta was having their annual benefit, THE BEASTLY FEAST May 15. That is Tad's favorite event each year. Looks like we were going to celebrate his special day with the monkeys and zebras. Bummer. I was going to have to figure SOMETHING out.
A couple of months ago, I was having breakfast with my dear friend, Holly and her husband Shawn at a little known place in Atlanta for stuffed biscuits (www.irwinstreetmarket.com), when in walks a man named JAKE. Jake. As in Jake of Jake's Ice Cream! Jake's Ice Cream (www.jakesicecream.com) is the most delectable treat you can have. Each batch is hand made. It is heaven in your mouth. We all get to talking about Tad's coming birthday, when it comes to me. ICE CREAM PARTY! WOOT! Tad loves ice cream! And Airplanes! And Cake! And his birthday! I name his ice cream on the spot: MILE HIGH HUTCHESON. I get my brother to design a logo so I can have aprons made for all the attendees. And a cake has to be made with the logo on it! Oh! and this has to be TOP SECRET!
Fast forward. Enlist his best friend, Michael to be the official decoy. Enter birthday weekend. The night before his birthday, we go to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner. I make his his favorite breakfast (chocolate chip pancakes and bacon) for breakfast. I give him his gifts. Two ties. They were beautiful. While he was appreciative, I think he was a little sad that his birthday hadn't been blown out. Sorry, honey. Beastly Feast. We go to the event. It was nice.
Everything had been carefully orchestrated. Down to my friend Laura calling me precisely when we would be in the car on the way home from church to see if I wanted to go shopping. Michael pushing to have lunch with Tad after church. Perfect. He had NO clue! Off I go with Michael's wife, Correna and Laura to get set up. All the decorations had been placed at Laura's home for safe keeping.
Laura and Correna, decorators extraordinaire!
A still shocked birthday boy, Tad.
MILE HIGH HUTCHESON cake!
Chocolate with Raspberry
Tad with Jake in the kitchen!
Decisions, decisions!
First things, first. Tad had to decide what kind of ice cream he wanted to make. Ultimately, he decided on MOCHA flavored ice cream with MoonPies, peanut butter cups and walnuts mixed in, to craft MILE HIGH HUTCHESON.
MILE HIGH HUTCHESON creator getting his stir on!
"Man work" of chopping all the goodies.
MILE HIGH HUTCHESON creator in his hat, apron and flashing "It's My Birthday" pin.
Ice cream chicks
Official taste tester with the decoy, Michael
Tad's birthday was one that we will all remember and I am so glad we were able to surprise him! Thank you to all of our dear friends who helped keep the secret, celebrate with us and make him feel so special. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. And now, we have 362 days to figure out how to top this one........
