The Gift of Surprise





Spencer reads a bit of YOU Staying Young!

"Happy Birthday, Spencer," I whispered.  It was 6am on June 23rd.  Spencer didn't yet know it was his birthday.  He had asked us not to tell him what day it was, and just to surprise him.  So we took a vacation to our favorite mountain house for the weekend.  While he slept, we decorated with the usual trappings-- balloons, banners, and crepe paper.  I had been trying to quietly pin his Birthday Boy ribbon on his shirt when he awoke.



"It's my birthday?!" he exclaimed in disbelief.  I assured him that it was.  He was ten years old.  My little Spencie.  He smiled happily, but did not yet get out of bed.  



All my boys enjoying a birthday breakfast of waffles, oatmeal, and milk.



We had a wonderful day together.  Spencer's first day in double digits.  Spencer had asked me to spend some of his birthday money on his brothers.  He wanted them to get a gift, too.  He said he knew how it felt to watch others open gifts when you don't have any.  "I want everyone to be happy," he told me.  I gladly bought the gifts for his brothers that he picked out, and they, too, had something to open on the big day.





Spencer enjoys his birthday cupcakes!



After birthday waffles, oatmeal, cupcakes, gifts, and singing Happy Birthday; Spencer decided we should go to the mountain town of Helen and ride go-karts. 



Gifts from Nana and Papa Dale!

After go-karts, he wanted to find a magic shop he remembered.  We did.  The owner showed him several neat magic tricks, and each of the boys chose an item to buy.

They practiced their new magic tricks while we ate lunch at a wonderful German restaurant.  Spencer had a steak . . . and a slice of vanilla cake with strawberries.  All the boys had ice cream.  A large group of young girls came in as we were leaving.  They saw Spencer's ribbon.  "Happy Birthday,"  "Happy Birthday," they called out to him as we were making our way to the door.  "Thank you," "Thank you," Spencer replied; smiling and walking between them. 



John teased him about the girls all the way back to the car.  The funny part is that Spencer doesn't know what the joke is. 

After driving back to the lovely mountain house, the boys played outside.  The weather was perfect.  We later watched a movie together.  That night before bed, Spencer asked us to sing Happy Birthday to him one more time.  We held hands around him and obliged.  He smiled and sang along.



Pausing for a picture in the mountains-- on our way to Helen.





Best Birthday Ever.     





As we sing Happy Birthday, Spencer
sings along and claps with Joy.