Act 3; Scene 45: Happy Birthday, Robert!

This year, Robert's birthday started out very uneventful.

He knew what his gift from me was--in fact, he selected the very one himself.

He knew what kind of cake he was getting--he watched me get the ingredients and start making it in the morning before his work.

No special lunch treat in his lunch box, not even a note.

He even had to take care of the baby while I showered before he left for work.

Birthday morning, just before leaving for work

Not even a fancy dinner outing planned--just home made pizzas (though one of his favorite meals). 

After a quick bowl of cereal and taking care of Tommy, Robert left for work, thinking he might be stopping at the store on his way home to get some pepperoni. 

And then I set to work.

I worked very quickly to pull this together:

 

His lemon blueberry cake.

Then I went to work packing up the diaper bag with meals for Tommy and everything he would need for a day out. I put the pack-n-play in the car and gathered all of Robert's gifts into the car as well. Then I fed the baby and we went to the post office to pick up his final gift.

Then we headed down to Provo to surprise Robert at work.

We got to the main building and the receptionist sent Robert an email telling him he had a visitor at the front desk. Two visitors, actually.

He was very surprised to see us there--especially since we didn't even have any balloons or anything. He said, "You came all the way to Provo to say happy birthday to me at lunch?"

Not exactly.

I informed him that he was coming with me for the rest of the day. When he gave me a look that said, "I have lots of work to do," I told him that I had already cleared it with his boss. 

So we headed upstairs to show off Tommy and for Robert to close up his cubicle. Everyone in the office knew he was leaving at lunch time--except him :-).

We cruised up to Salt Lake and dropped the baby off at Grandma and Grandpa's. Then I took Robert to a fancy restaurant named Trio for lunch. Meatball appetizer, paninis, soup, and creme brulee on the house for a birthday dessert. De. Li. Cious. 

With our extra time we wandered the aisles at Whole Foods and splurged on some local and organic goodies with a gift card we had received. Even Thomas got a treat--some jars of organic baby food.

We made it back to my parents' house just in time to put Tommy down for another nap--and we got to take a little snooze ourselves.

After that, Thomas enjoyed helping Dad open his presents.

After bad traffic time passed, we headed back home, and indulged in the classic birthday candles.

Trying so hard to grab those candles

Don't mind the mom brain who accidentally put the numbers as 32 plus 6 single candles instead of the 23 plus 6 candles...I just decided to give Robert a few extra years :-)

Yum!

I would say a very successful birthday. I was so excited that I managed to really, truly surprise Robert. He did not see that coming...and it was so fun.

Now...how will I do an even better job next year? ;-)

Happy Birthday, Robert!