Gotta love my Pop

We drove up to spend the afternoon and evening with my folks yesterday. After all, it was a very special day – it was my Dad’s 85th birthday! We surprised him, too. I had avoided mentioning his birthday in any way whenever I called them in the days leading up to yesterday because I wanted him to think I had forgotten all about it. But we planned his surprise far in advance and showed up on my Mom and Dad’s doorstep with a birthday party ready to go!

I made his second all-time favorite meal, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, rice pilaf and salad. And for dessert? His favorite chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting. Yummo! But the highlight of the day came when he met one of his own personal goals he’s had in his mind for many, many years. My dad decided years ago that he wanted to be able to do a head stand when he was 85 years old. Just look:

Ready…..

Steady…..

GO! He did it! BRAVO!!! (Eat your heart out, Jack LaLanne…..)

Gosh, I’m proud of him. Now, that’s an accomplishment. I just love how he’s always pushing himself to reach further and do more than expected. Hmmmm, come to think of it, I’m a lot like that, too. Wonder where I get it from? I guess I’m just my Dad’s daughter.

Happy birthday, Pop. We love you so much!

PS. Were you wondering what my Dad’s MOST favorite meal in the world is? It is my Mom’s world-famous chicken and dumplins! Unfortunately, she’s been laid up recently with a bad shoulder due to a recent fall, so she couldn’t make his favorite dish for his birthday this year. But one of these days, I’m going to learn to make them just like hers…..