18 Plus 12 Years of Experience

This weekend was an extremely special one - David turned 30. We had an amazing time. We picnic'd with the neice and nephew and then went ice skating on Friday, and yesterday I gave David his BIG birthday present - a flight on a WW2 Warbird Stearman bi-plane. He had no clue.

I was intent on making sure he didn't find out about his present until we were at the airport. I set up a series of clues - including one which led us to the Cavenaugh Flight Museum - where they have an awesome hanger (4 hangers full) display of WW1, WW2 and Cold War aircraft. I somehow managed to convince David that this was one of several events (that which it was) but he figured the other events were at different locations. To throw him off track I had him pack a change of clothes to take with us. I also had him wear his tennis shoes (something he had to do for the flight) - somehow - Little Mister Engineer decided that he figured out his gift - he had convinced himself that we were going sailing. I decided to play along with his idea....told him "well you may have figured out part of it, but we are still doing something first" and so we go to the flight museum.

In the process of the day, he was receiving clues to the "next step" of our adventure for his birthday. After we finished the museum, we sat down at the picnic area and I gave him the card for the next clue. Mister Smarty Pants assumed that of course this card would lead him to the sailing adventure he was so sure we were embarking upon next. So as he was reading the card - which started with "Soar High" he was getting confused. He then read through the entire card which even said "Hop Aboard for your flight on the Stearman" and he was still confused. (pic 1 below of David reading the card and being confused). It took me looking at him and going - "Your gift is that you are going for a flight in that plane over there (insert point at biplane on tarmac)" (Pic 2 is his expression after this all sinks in). I was SO proud that I managed to surprise him - he was so astonished at his gift. I got "Seriously" for the next hour as we waited through pre-flight, etc. It was absolutely the most perfect gift.



Reading the Card - Not understanding why it has nothing to do with sailing






THE FACE upon me telling him what he was going to do for his birthday - LOVE the shock and surprise in his face :)



I kept getting this face as we were waiting - its the "seriously" and "I am so excited" face all in one :)





All strapped in and ready to go!