Wish Fishboy Matty a half-fast, fun-filled, pants-free 40th birthday on February 23nd

I wish you fish, lots of fish… on your birthday and every day. You know what i’m talking about, right big fella? I think you and your LL probably have this one covered. Happy LATE birthday!

while I was on vacation last week, Matty. I hope you had a happy 40th!

Next time you’re in this area I’ll take you out for a sandwich- this sub shop isn’t far from where I live :)

what went down on his birthday (all jokes aside).

Matt had mentioned that he didn’t want too much fuss for his birthday, so his mum (J), stepdad (P) and I decided to throw him a little surprise party. Not necessarily a “SURPRISE!” people-jumping-out-from-behind-things kind of surprise party, but a surprise gathering of friends.

P put the word out to Matty’s closest friends and family. We came up with a plan. A few days beforehand, we’d tell Matty that we would be going out to dinner… but that we could only get a reservation for later in the evening. Then, I’d take him out for a ‘pre-dinner’ birthday drink, allowing the guests an opportunity to arrive at the house. Matty and I would then return to the house under the pretext of picking up J and P to go to the restaurant.

First thing in the morning, Matty went out for a birthday run with his friend. It was the perfect start to the day for him, and whilst he was out his mum baked (and hid) a cake, then we three conspirators headed out to pick up the supplies we needed. Matty was, of course, a little suspicious that we were planning something. (He admitted so to Flirt when she phoned to wish him ‘happy birthday’, and she duly told me.) I told him that I had a little surprise for him before dinner… the idea being that I’d present our pre-dinner drinks as the surprise.

There was a lot of sneaking around… whilst Matty was taking his post-run shower, we brought in the groceries from the car. When he lay down on the couch for a nap, his mum and I quietly prepared food for the party. Matt’s mum was in her element. I don’t think she gets to be so sneaky very often… the glint in her eyes was telling.

At 6pm, Matt and I headed out for his ‘surprise’. He was quite thrilled when he realised what we were doing, and we spent a lovely hour sipping wine, chatting and sharing a yummy salad. (I tried to surreptitiously convince him to eat something a bit more substantial, but he didn’t want to spoil his appetite for dinner.) I gave him the pressie and card that I’d very classily sneaked into the restaurant down the back of my pants. Funnily enough, what I’d chosen for him was something I hadn’t realised he’d been admiring in a store over a week ago.

When the time came, we drove back to the house. As we neared the entrance, Matt spotted a friend’s car. “Hey, that’s S’s car. I wonder what he’s doing.” Pulling into the carpark, he commented on all the cars. “Wow, look at all the cars. Somebody must be having a party.”

The funniest bit was when we got out of the car. The first thing I noticed, was that I could see and hear the fire going in the back yard. “Wow… look at those stars,” I said. Matt turned his eyes skyward, and started telling me something about the stars. I have to confess that I wasn’t really listening. I was very conscious of the crackling fire, and was trying to keep his attention on the night sky, whilst leading him to the front door.

We almost made it inside. He suddenly turned around and said, “hey, there are people here.” (Hee hee.) Perhaps needless to say, but a lovely evening was had by all.

_{(Yes, in case you’re wondering, there were some pants-free episodes. With Matthew, there always are.)}

welcome to the 40 club, finally! enjoy your pants-free freedom!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjqPVny1MyA

it’s nice to see you so happy these days.

it was cos of the mackeral, honest!

I spent a fair amount of time trying to find you a heap of fish for your special day. I did find one, a nice pile of mackerel, but I couldn’t use it for free, it was a clip art service and none of the tish pics I found fit, so….

You just get presents instead!

Happy birthday, to one of the best, many many good wishes and years to fulfill them.

Judith

Glad to hear it was so fine. :)

Forty! You’re forty? Hahahahahaha! You’re sooo forty!

Hope you enjoyed your birthday in the Pants-Free Zone.

Pants-free day in the DC Metro (that was January 13). Sounds as if your birthday was at least that much fun, & quite a bit faster—yay! Cheers to you, & happy 40th!

Can’t believe I missed it yesterday! Must have been too distracted by the rest of life.

Like your aerated hand-me-down tights.

Here is some champagne for a day-after party with LL. Leave the pants and tights, keys and wallet where you can get your hands on them again, kick back, and enjoy.