Our 10 year old planned the nicest birthday wake-up a Mom could ask for.

It’s probably the most elaborate scheme she’s ever been able to pull off and it represents everything that’s so wonderful about being a parent.

How else can you surprise someone when you’re a) 10, b) unemployed, c) lacking a motorized vehicle or license to operate?

She told Greg she was going to set her alarm for 8am which is quite possibly the greatest gift she could have given me, having reviewed her summer sleeping habits and understanding that waking up before noon hasn’t been without a lot of sniffing salts and feather dusters below the nose.

She wanted to go to Tim Horton’s and bring me home my morning tea.

It’s a simple gesture, something even a stranger could do. But the motivation behind it was adorable.

Here’s where poker face should never attempt to lie.

Ellie stumbled up the stairs and looked at me unable to say “Happy Birthday Mom” because she thought surely I would become suspicious of her plan. She assumed I thought her very presence in the room meant she was up to something.

Greg told me he was going to get some gas up the street while winking.

Ellie did a spontaneous 360 spin in the kitchen and walking backwards towards Greg said, “I’m just going along for the ride while falling out the door.”

Chloe walked into our bedroom and sang “Happy Birthday to you” at a suffocating distance from my face. The second verse (also to the tune of Happy Birthday) went like this, “Can you get me some warm milk and tickle my feet on the couch…..”

My last “surprise” was a massage and facial I won’t soon forget.

Oh yeah. This is living.