Best Mother's Day Present!!

So Heather, Cathleen, Dad and I have been plotting for some time. Heather couldn't decided what to do for Mom for Mother's day. She asked if she would like flowers, even though they are quite expensive. I told her that it would be a nice gesturebut probably not worth the cost. Somewhere along in the conversation we came up with the idea to have her fly down and suprise mom.

So the plotting began...Heather was to fly down the Friday before. We pulled Dad into the plot and decided to have a "Mother's Day BBQ" at our house with the family to pull everyone together. On Friday when I picked her up we would surprise Nichole at work and have Heather stay the night there to hide her. Nichole was to get off of work at 4:00 pm so the four of us (Heather, Cathleen, Nichole and I) would have a girls night and go to Davids Bridal, maybe see a movie, and just spend time together. This was the plan...

Well a few days before Heather was supposed to come down Nichole drops the bomb that she switched with another employee and has to work from 3:00 to 9:00 at Seal Beach. Bummer!! I made sure she knew we were going to hang out on Friday to ensure she wouldn't make plans with someone else. The BBQ was all set. Family knew and were all excited. It turned into a combo BBQ for William's 13th birthday as well.

Friday comes and I get off of work at 1:00 pm. I go to the Dr's first to have the so unpleasant yearly exam and quickly head home to pick up Cathleen. After that we head to the airport. We picked up Heather from Long Beach and headed to Seal Beach for the first surprise. We stopped at Starbucks to kill time and to also prep for our surprise to the unsuspecting Nichole at work. We devised the plan that Cathleen would be on the phone with Heather who would be standing outside of the store listening in on our conversation. When we walked in Nichole saw the Starbucks with a envious eye and I explained that I forgot to call until after I went through the drive through. At that point that was Heather's cue to bum rush the store and yell surprise!

It was perfect!!! Heather with Starbucks in hand for Nichole came rushing around the corner. Nichole jumped back, gasped with open mouth and exclaimed "Oh my gosh! What are you doing here?" We explained the rest of the surprise plot about the next day and how we were to hide Heather at her house that night.

Saturday morning was like any other and my mom was busy cleaning the house for the BBQ at 12:00. Nichole and I were in communication so she knew when everyone was there for the big surprise. It was perfect! I sent the all clear text and they were on their way. Dad had the camera ready. Nichole walked in first and told Mom that she had something for her. Mom came out of the kitchen into the dining room and once again Heather came rushing through the door with sunflowers screaming "Surprise! Happy Mother's Day!" The look of shock and awe was priceless and then came the tears of gratitude and love. She was so surprised and so happy to have the family together on Mother's Day (well, one day prior). She got all emotional (score!) and was very happy that we had done this for her. Even Aunt Lisa was emotional and excited! She told Uncle John that once her girls go to college John better arrange the same surprise! :)

Needless to say, it was the best Mother's Day celebration yet! It was a complete success!

(Pictures to be posted later - after I steal them from Dad)