The Mackeys: Sarah's Birthday Party On Ice

For Sarah's 8th birthday, we threw a surprise party. She mentioned around Christmas time that she'd never had a surprise party, so she and I agreed a few months in advance that we would do it that way. I asked her for the guest list but said we would take care of all other details. So we went ICE SKATING. In JUNE. It was so much fun, and a great way to cool off from the heat.

Sarah thought we were going to look for light fixtures when we all climbed into the minivan. We had just told Charlie, but Allison and David didn't know until we got inside and I told them to crouch down and yell "Surprise!" when Sarah walked in. While we were in the car, I untied Sarah's shoelace, so when we parked I brought Charlie, Allison, and David inside while Daddy waited for Sarah to re-tie her shoe. Somehow, she didn't find any of this strange. But when she got inside ... BOY was she surprised!

Sarah's friends were great about keeping the secret ... in large part because most of their parents' opted not to tell them about the party until that morning.

The kids waiting to jump out and yell "Surprise!"

Sarah arrives. "This isn't Lowe's, and what are all my friends doing here??"

This is Sarah's "surprised" face.

It's so nice on the ice!

Lara, Chloe, Sam, and Kate

Mommy teaches David to skate. David immediately asks to sign up for hockey.

Allison and Daddy take a lap

Sarah and her good buddy Griffin - a very good sport about being the only boy, just as Sarah was a good sport about being the only girl at his party. He is also quite the skater.