We’ve been planning it for months! Trying to pull the wool over our mama’s eyes has never been easy. My daddy has never successfully surprised my mama, and let’s be real, mamas always know when their kids are lying. But we did it! Kelsey, Daddy, and I pulled together to make a memorable 60th birthday trip for our great matriarch.
Mama knew Daddy was taking her somewhere - somewhere mountainous but no clue which mountains! She thought Kelsey’s family was busy with soccer games and other things, and she believed us Gladdens to be taking an extended weekend in Helen, GA.
We began our secret operation by meeting Mama and Daddy at Babyland General Hospital (aka Cabbagepatch Land) in Cleveland, GA. Ellie hasn’t been since she turned 2 and has been asking to go back and Mama wanted to go when we went. We thought it was the perfect time to make that happen. We pretended like it was just a detour on the secret trip Daddy was taking her on and we pretended that Daddy wouldn’t even tell US where he was taking her. I suggested to Daddy after Babyland to take Mama by some wineries to stall so we could get up to TN to the cabin before them. So after picking out a brand new baby doll, we said our goodbyes and the Gladden crew went into Helen for lunch and an Oktoberfest drink before sneaking away to the TN cabin.
When we arrived to our final destination, we and the Jones crew began decorating and preparing dinner and a birthday pumpkin cake and awaiting the arrival of our parents. The girls made a bag of confetti to throw at Mimi when she arrived.
Finally after waiting what felt like forever, the Clardy jeep pulled up and out came my parents and, “surprise!!!!!” Confetti thrown everywhere, shrieks and squeals and smiles galore! Mama was truly surprised and brought to tears! Mission accomplished!
The weekend was filled with a day at Dollywood - first timers all around! We played at the cabin, hot tub, yard games, exploring, Dolly Parton’s Stampede show for dinner, and a day of grilling out and playing in the woods, bonfire s’more roasting, and being together. Oh and lots and lots and lots of bear sightings - down the street, in dumpsters at construction sites, in woods, and on our porch. It was a thrill! That never gets old to me!
The colors in the Smokys were vibrant and almost peak. The air was perfect and that mountain breeze was a breath of fresh life after our second move in 5 months. We needed the break. Ellie needed the cousin time. The family time was a must and the celebration of our precious Mama who goes to the ends of the Earth for us was a blessing to behold.
Cheers to 60, Mama! We love you infinity (or 161 😂) and appreciate you endlessly!
