Ahh, Walter's

As you faithful readers know, Matt recently had a milestone birthday. Since it was the big 3-0, I decided to give him a gift each day of his birthday week. Monday, Memorial Day, was a 6-pack of some crazy imported Belgian beer that he loves and he thought could only be found on tap at a cafe in the Village. Tuesday was a 6-pack of white athletic socks (don't laugh - what guy do you know who ever has too many of those?). Wednesday, his actual birthday, I sent subs, chips, and cookies to his work for all of his colleagues. Thursday was two new pairs of baseball socks (don't laugh - what baseball player do you know who ever has too many of those?). Friday was a Kindle. And Saturday we were going to 'go to dinner' with our friends Shawn and Melissa. Hi, spoiled much?

But instead of dinner, I planned a surprise party for him that night at his favorite local bar, Walter's.

It's significant that the party was at Walter's as it is the classic neighborhood bar which Matt loves, but as Wisconsin has yet to go smoke free (but will on July 5 - way to jump into the 21st century, Wisco!!) I have refused for 5 1/2 years to step foot in the joint.

So Saturday came and off he went to his baseball banquet for the Knights. He returned mid-afternoon and was greeted shortly thereafter by another surprise: Scott & Anna ditched the kiddies with Grandma and traveled from the hinterland for the weekend. Matt claims that their appearance set off a few alarms in his head, but I don't buy it. So the story was that we ladies were going to do some 'shopping' together first (read: set up for the par-tay) then meet the guys for dinner for the six of us.

Enter Shawn, whose job it was to get the guys to Walter's for a beer before dinner. He had to do some major stalling in order to give Karl & Kathy time to get themselves and GG to the party, but he played to his strengths, I guess you could say, and did a great job of holding Matt back.

Once they got there I think Matt was genuinely surprised. Even if he suspected something there is no way he would have thought I would do something at Walter's. Ha ha, gotcha.

Anna and Melissa helped me decorate the place with some classically tacky decor: streamers, balloons, etc, and some interesting additions. I had three huge photo collages created which chronicle Matt over the last 5 or 6 years. One was truly sweet and mostly shots of him and GG. But the other two were a little vicious, which is what he gets for never making a normal face in any photo, ever (see Exhibits A and B, below). Some were fun shots of him playing baseball, or dancing at weddings, and others were less flattering such as him with an entire pizza on his lap, or sitting on the couch with an exfoliating mask and giving me the bird. Ahh, good times.

The cuisine was...well, it was man-food. There were roasted potatoes, Italians with onions and peppers, chicken wings, and ribs. Makes me gag just to think about it, but it made the birthday boy happy as a clam. I built a cruller tower for a birthday cake, and had an open bar for our guests. There was one catch though: to get your drink for free, you had to show your official party badge:

I had these fetching pins made for the occasion. Thumbs Up For 30!

The cruller cake


Surprise!


Checking out the photo collages. Thank you, Snapfish


Hi, here's our family picture. In Walter's.


Someone had other plans for the lei


Annnnnnnnd we're happy


Steve: Hey baby, you're looking as good as that cruller cake
Erin: Puh-lease, you can take that line to go 'cause I'm here for the open bar


Exhibit A


GG taking the balloons for a walk. IN A BAR.


Foxy ladies


The Crew (missed you, Kroenings!!)


It's all in the family


Melissa: You should dunk your cruller
Scott: OK
???


Adorable. But my kid is still in a bar.


Steve: Who will love me if Erin is only here for the open bar?
Shawn: C'mere big guy


Presents!


Exhibit B


Tie-ing one on. Ha!


Oh dear, it's getting late. They're toasting buttered crullers.


The unflappable Mel


Unfortunately, I know what these two were talking about.


At this moment, Karl's entire life is flashing before his eyes

Happy birthday honey. Welcome to 30 - we love ya!