Pa’s Surprise Party
May 17th, 2011. (2 years, 11 months old.) by benLast weekend, M&D and I went down to LA for a surprise party for Pa. Something called ‘retirement’ from ‘work’. That didn’t make much sense to me, but what I do know is that I got to visit my cousin and play baseball!
I hit lots of the balls that Daddy pitched to me, and some even went all the way across the street! I also had lots of fun throwing the ball up as high as I could in the air. It was fun to see Aunt Heather, Uncle John, and Uncle Ryan.
After baseball we went to the restaurant where we got to wait for Pa and then yell “Surprise!”. Pa looked a little surprised, so I ran right over and gave him a big hug.
Later, Avery and I helped Ma make some cupcakes for my pre-birthday LA celebration.
And here you can see the pre-pre-celebration. Mmmmmm Mmmmm….
Ah, the mysteries of life…Why don’t people just eat chocolate frosting all the time?
After all of the visiting and celebrating, it was time to go home. Unfortunately, our airplane flight was canceled due to something called “mechanical difficulties”. Then M&D said that we would get to go home on a BIG jet plane. After lots of walking, we went to where the BIG jet planes park, and I met our first officer. He taught me to count stripes on his shoulders, and that THREE stripes means a first officer, and FOUR stripes means a captain. I counted FIVE stripes on his shoulder, and he laughed and said he would tell that to his captain. I think because I’m so smart that’s why they let me fly the plane!
First officer “Jeffy” was really nice and even held me for a picture!
Maybe our flight will get canceled again so I can sit in the front of another jet! I’m looking forward to it!
(Editor’s Note: A big thanks to Southwest’s First Officer Jeff for all the kind attention!)
Looks like lots of fun was had in LA at Pa’s retirement party. Ben seems to be especially enjoying the making of the cupcakes and licking the mixer attachments.
Ben looks like a natural pilot in the cockpit. If he wants to become a pilot though, I think it would be best for passenger confidence to loose the pacifier! Thanks to Jeff for showing him around. All those Southwest pilots are just kids anyway.
Ben says that the pacifier is an important item for pilots because it helps their ears pop during the descent part of the flight. It is a little-known industry secret and one of the reasons that the pilots keep the cockpit door locked during the flight. 😉
Gee, I never thought of that. I should have known that Ben would have a good reason for going back to his pacifier. I’ll have to ask Ray what his looks like.
As a 23-year SWA Captain, I can vouch for the pacifier. It helps with our ears, and when skies get dark and scary.
Hi Ben! I missed you when you, mom, and dad went home after Pa’s retirement party! It was entirely too quiet around our house! We really had fun with you and your parents and were SO O O happy that you could come to visit and say “surprise” to Pa. Your hug at the restaurant was THE MOST SPECIAL thing that you could have done to make him feel special, so thank you, Ben, for that hug!
Chocolate cake and frosting was a great way to wish you a happy birthday, Ben.
I never get to make and eat chocolate cake anymore, so your birthday was a great event for all of us. We just loved being with you and M & D to celebrate your third birthday! We love you!
HI again, Ben. I forgot to say how great you look in the control area of the BIG plane and how special that First Officer Jeff held you for a picture! None of us would be allowed to sit in the pilot’s seat these days, so that was a special privilege. Just another special gift for your third birthday—something to remember about your trip back home! This time your cancelled flight turned out to be pretty nice!