The Cathcart Clan: Surprise birthday for Papa

My immediate family decided to throw my father a surprise 61st birthday party. Since I stay at home now, I decided to travel to Charleston on my own with the kids and be there for the surprise. Trevor and Joanna were kind enough to let me and my kid-tornado crash at their house the night before the surprise. It took us 11 1/2 hours to make a 8.5 hour trip-- ugh. The kids were actually a dream, especially considering the circumstances, but we had to take our time for "pee-pee time" breaks and toured just about every McDonalds playplace on the Eastern seaboard. I always thought those things were a waste of space, and frankly very unsanitary, but they were a lifesaver and my opinion is forever changed. I literally could not have made it without them.

When we got to Charleston, Trevor and Jo took us to this very cool BBQ place, that is totally the new Charleston. Since I left this great city, things have really changed, and a focus on excellent food, drink, and nightlife have consumed the locals. It is a cultural experience to visit. Anyway, as soon as we were seated, Ashton was --AHEM-- in a mood, and didn't want to sit in the high chair. You really can't blame him, since the poor kid had just endured a car seat for 11.5 hours. He was protesting and required a little help to get him into the seat. As a good mom, I thought I would redirect his attention to his oh-so-cool-hat. Well, wouldn't you know it, he grabbed the hat from me and with a huge smile, chucked it behind it head. As luck would have it - SPLAT - the hat landed on the table of a women, who was just about the meanest person I've encountered in recent memory. Her face of disgust was apparent to the entire restaurant. Trevor profusely apologized, gently explaining why the outburst happened, and lifted the hat from her table. Well, the women called over the waitress insisting on a new meal and decided to make a scene. Thank God for Trevor and his intervention, because I would have probably crawled under the table and cried. Long story short, the couple stayed at their table shooting us death stares throughout the entire dinner. After the couple left, two different waitresses came up and apologized to us for what was clearly an overreaction. Sure, no one wants a hat on their food and table, but the way this woman kept saying, "well, I don't know where that hat's been!!! You should keep them at home if you can't control them!" just seemed a little much. On top of it, we sincerely apologized and beyond turning back the hands of time and intercepting the torpedo, there was nothing we could have done. And frankly that's life. Kids aren't perfect, and we were all cranky little brats at some point, so a little understanding would be appreciated.

The next day, we were part of the party planning team... I don't know how much we contributed considering the nap times, diaper changes, and the general chaos the two kids cause, but at least I was made to feel like our presence wasn't too much of a hindrance. Trevor and Joanna cooked all of the food for the party, so they were working overtime as far as I'm concerned. It went off very well thanks to my mom's careful planning and contingency plans, and Dad seems genuinely surprised.

Although our trip home was even longer than our first trip, it was all worth it in the end. The kids had a BLAST and didn't want to go home. I can't wait for another adventurous trip soon!

The happy birthday boy!

Lauren and Dad trying to do the famous "Act," as coined by Chelsea and Lauren in the early '90s.

Oh wait, Chelsea and Lauren shall not be out done! And guess what? We still got it!! Some even debated if the "Act 2011" was actually more complicated the the original...

Power couple. Trevor and Joanna making the food for the party.

Thumbs up for a great party!

Trevor loves baby Rea.

This is not child abuse... I swear she didn't mind! Pictured here are Reagan's new fang teeth!

High five from Uncle Trev for blowing out all of the candles! (Ashton thinks any birthday is his birthday and he is so enthusiastic that I don't have the heart to correct him...)