Remember that cute little video the girls made for our Military cousins back on Memorial Day? (You can see it here). Well, we got to welcome home one of those cousins yesterday. Not just for a week or the summer. We’re talking released from active duty celebration. Yayyy!!! For the first time in years we have our whole Florida family together again — and by Florida family I mean the two vagabonds (Dan & myself) that journeyed South from their very Northern childhoods to crash with the Cool Aunt for a while. Me in 2005 and Dan in 2006.
It was a fun night. Daniela has always shared a special little bond with “Dan Dan” and he has always gone to great pains to corrupt her rule abiding personality (: That’s what older step-cousins-once-removed are for right? (: Usually when Dan comes home from the Marine Corps (after boot camp, after Japan, after his tour of duty…) we surprise Dani with it. She loves surprises and she loves Dan — perfect combo.
Yesterday I decided to play it up a bit since this will be the last home from the Marine Corps surprise. I thought it all out. I planned it. I could see her reaction in my mind. Dan and I drove to her mom’s house early yesterday morning to pick her up. He stood out of sight while I went to the door and once she stepped out, I blindfolded her and led her to the sidewalk. She was hysterical trying to figure out what I had up my sleeve! Dan was standing about 15 feet in front of her and when I let Dani take off the blindfold — all the planning leading up to this! –she did not react the way I had anticipated. In years past she always jumps and squeals and squeezes his neck. Nope, not this time. She didn’t move an inch! She just stood there bug-eyed and stared at him. Bahahahaha!
She made up for it with a cheshire cat grin the whole way home and now if he’s out of her sight for more than 5 minutes she doesn’t know what to do with herself (: I have the coolest family.
After going through the pictures of last night it has come to my attention that my husband is a bit of a spotlight thief. Like father, like daughter I suppose.
She get’s it from her father. I swear.
We couldn’t have a cake without singing, so we belted out “Happy Out of Active Service to You” to the tune of Happy Birthday. Alas, there is no video.
This fantastic cake is by the ever so talented A Slice of Heaven. And that’s with 2 days notice too. Love those guys!
And finally, a picture of Dan and his cake without my husband hogging the lime light (;
Welcome home, Dan. We missed you. (Even though you’re a terrible Apples to Apples judge) <3
Dan,
Thanks for serving your country and your fellow Americans!