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This week was a big milestone week for our family. Friday was Jeremy's birthday and not just any birthday, but his thirtieth. We had talked quite a bit about it ahead of time and the one thing that I knew for sure was that he did not want a party (not that that should be a shock to anyone who knows Jeremy at all). In any case, I was faced with the challenge of how to make his big day special without a party. My brilliant, if I do say so myself, idea was to plan a day just for us doing all the things he loves to do.

I had to work in the morning so our first outing started at lunchtime at Miller's Homestead, Jeremy's favorite local breakfast place. The next stop on the Jeremy's Day of Fun tour was a go-cart track. We were there with some true die-hards that had memberships and record setting times so it was a little crazy, but Jeremy still had a blast and that was the whole point. After go-carting we headed home for presents, but much to Merrick's disappointment, no cake. I knew we would be eating a lot over the course of the day so I did not plan a cake and Merrick obsessed about it all day.

The present part of the day is kind of a funny story. Several weeks ago I had done a ton of research and found a skateboard I wanted to get Jeremy for his birthday. Despite his love for skateboarding he had not owned one since his mission, so I knew he would be very excited. Merrick went with me to get it and we had no sooner walked in the door than Merrick told Jeremy what we got him. I was devastated! I did not want to take the skateboard back, but I really wanted his present to be a surprise.

What transpired next was a series of events where I subtly convinced Jeremy that I had taken back the skateboard and bought him clothes (the present of death) instead. He really did need some new clothes, but in his mind clothes are NOT a present. In reality, I had kept the skateboard and bought him just enough clothes to make him think that was the only present he would be getting.

As he opened his presents I could see the look of disappointment and planning behind his eyes to take back the clothes and go get the skateboard back. After he had taken in the horror of all the new clothes, I told him Merrick had one more present and had Merrick bring in the skateboard. Once we knew he still had the skateboard he decided that the much needed clothes would be okay to keep as well.

After presents, the plan was dinner at an Italian restaurant and James Bond Skyfall at a really cool local theater. Unfortunately this was the low light of the day. Traffic was terrible and we ran out of time for our nice dinner. We ended up eating gross, knock-off Panda Express and still got less than ideal seats for the movie. Skyfall was really good though and once it started we kind of forgot about the problems of the the evening.

All in all it turned out to be a great day. I think Jeremy was surprised and felt loved and that was the whole point.