Pearson and Alison: Nuptials and Much More: Pop Up Pie Party

Yesterday was the day of the unexpected and excitement according to Mae.

With no fruit in the house, I decided we had two choices to go 1) pick some or 2) go to the grocery store for some. Since I don't love taking both my kids at the same time to the store - we always end up with unwanted stuff [junk] in our cart as to avoid a meltdown in the store - I decided the country and wide open spaces would be much more ideal. Plus we didn't have much planned except a visit with a friend so I thought it would be a good way to spend the day.

The unexpected…on the way there, I was thinking aloud (something I am known to do and can be a detriment with the kids sometimes) and said maybe we should make a pie with the blueberries. I then said wouldn't it be fun if we gave some pie to others. Then the idea of having a Pop Up Pie Party was born. It seems like all the rage for the last few years is pop up restaurants and shops so I thought why can't we serve pie in our street.

Mae instantly took to the idea. She instantly started dividing up tasks saying she would be in charge of music and invitations. Whitaker would be in "charge of games" and I would be responsible for the pies. She then said, "Today started like a normal day. I got up, ate, got dressed, had to do something….now we are having a party. This is so exciting." That statement and her true, innocent excitement about it all gave me the gusto to actually go forward with the idea. After a couple hours on the farm we got enough blueberries and cherries, which the kids loved picking from the trees, to make a couple pies.

Armed with our produce we made a quick pit stop to the store to pick up some essentials and raced home to prepare for the party. (Note, it was almost 2 o'clock and we were thinking we would start the party after dinner at 6:30, meaning I had to pull together pies in a few hours. Also a friend was coming over and I wanted to visit with her for a little bit). After stepping into the door, I sent off a quick text to a few neighbor friends to see if they were able to come. Thank goodness most were able to come and there would be someone there. I didn't want the kids to be disappointed or to make a bunch of pie and have to eat it myself. Mae got to work on invites and Whitaker was thankfully taking a snooze in the car. My dear friend showed up and helped so we gabbed while doing prep work.

I don't need to give a minute by minute lowdown of the rest of the day but the pies got done, invites distributed and all of a sudden neighbors and friends were eating pie in the street!!

Yesterday was one of those days where truly magical things happened when you don't plan, are open to any possibility, and you take simple joy in sharing pie with friends. I would have never done this without my kids' encouragement and excitement so I can say thank you to them for this unforgettable time.