covert operation...
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| Mon, 10-17-2005 - 8:52pm |
Try planning one with two Aspies:
Today was DH's 40th B-day. Well, he had caught me trying to organize a surprise party a few months ago (Uncle Mark blabbed), and *insisted* that we just have a quiet dinner -just *our* family, at a place of his choosing. He wouldn't tell where until an hour before we left and he chose a popular chain. He wanted NO FUSS. (I wanted fuss).
So we get there, and Peter is having a hard time with the routine change. I put the menu up for us to 'hide behind' while I tried to talk him down. We talked for a bit. Then I had The Idea. "Hey buddy, wanna help me surprise Daddy?" Huge eyes, slow nod. "OK. After you have finished your dinner, tell Daddy you need to go to the bathroom. OK" Nod. "Then I will tell the waitress it's his birthday, and we will surprise him with brownie and a song. OK?" Grin. "OK Mom!" So I put the menu down, Peter noticibly perkier. I got a "You're Mother of The Day" look from DH.
Peter started to get antsy before the main course arrived. In stage whispers, which could be heard in the next town, he would say "MOM. IT'S NOT *WORKING*" and I would nod reassuringly "It's OK. we're good".
DH grew suspicious.
So the time came for Peter to get DH outta there. He didn't pick up on his cue. I was nudging and prodding him under the table "OW Mom!". Then I whispered "bathroom".
"Daddy? Would you like to go to the bathroom?"
"No"
(me) "Peter, do *you* need to go to the bathroom"
"Oh Yes."
"Daddy. I need to go to the bathroom"
A suspicious husband led a delighted son away.
Siobhan and I ordered The Surprise. "Don't tell Daddy. It's a surprise."
(Huge eyes) "OK"
Daddy came back "What's going on."
"Siobhan, (grinning hugely) "nothing"
Peter: "Oh NO!! MOM! It didn't WORK!" (he had been expecting stuff to be waiting for them on return). More reassuring nods from me to Peter, while putting my fingers to my lips for Siobhan behind DH's back as he grilled her.
So the brownie arrived. 'Happy Birthday' was sung, DH was duly disgusted, Peter and Siobhan delighted. I think they were more happy that their "covert operation" had 'succeeded' (Although I think by the end, the whole restaurant knew what we had been planning LOL), than at the song and massive brownie, which they managed to demolish between them.
Ten years before the next big birthday. Maybe they will be more sneaky by then!
-Paula
who was forgiven, BTW

Paula,
That's a sweet story! You must have had a great time! Happy birthday to your dh!!!
Michelle
what a cute story! I'm glad you were forgiven! what a great memory for your kiddos!
betsy
That is so funny. I guess that's what's in store for me down the road. Jake is not what you'd call suttle, when I call his name while playing hide and go seek with him, he always tells me where he is, it never fails to make me laugh. Life is never dull when you are raising quirky kids like ours.
Teresa
Oh they are just such sneaky ones aren't they! I bet they thought they were. I hope they and your DH had a grand time.
Renee
Precious!!! That is the cutest story I've read/heard in a while. Sounds like you had a great time!
Chrystee
Ya know, they tried. And credit where credit is due: They kept the secret about his presents very well. *I* managed to bust that one, by forgetting to hide the packaging for the flash card (a few of us pitched in and got him a really fancy digital camera). By the time we gave it to him, he had downloaded the manual and learned all about it!
The kids didn't even let on about the signed Glasgow Celtic shirt we had framed for him. That was a total surprise.
progress...
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com