From Grampy...

Ever since we received an invitation to Eric Ode’s SURPRISE Birthday Party and subsequently received an OK to invite Kenzie, the hush has been on to keep it a secret. We took Kenzie to church with us on Sunday and she found a way to wriggle her way through all the kids during the kid’s sermon to locate herself directly in front of Eric, as he plays the piano during the service. It was all we could do to convince her that our pew was on the other side of the aisle and perhaps she would better serve herself with us.

When it became time for Kenzie to leave for the party she was more than excited. Her Grammy and Phyllis Steinle took her to the Buckley Grange Hall. Eric was surprised that members of his old band were on stage and ready to play, as well as about 100 family friends and neighbors. Eric started the program with the Hokey Pokey. Grammy danced the Hokey Pokey with Kenzie and Grammy returned to her chair. Kenzie stayed on the dance floor the rest of the evening. I arrived a couple of hours later (football playoffs) and Kenzie was dancing solo to any and every tune the band played. She’d wander over to our table and take an occasional sip of apple juice and then she’d return for more dances. She danced with any and everybody and tried every new step she saw someone else dancing to. Eric and the band took a break near the end of the evening and during that time Eric wandered to our table. His sister reminded him that he hadn’t played “I Love My Shoes.” He asked Kenzie if she would sing with him and she said she would. A few minutes later the band gathered and Kenzie had followed Eric all through the audience until he returned to the band stand. She walked on stage and he lowered the boom mike and while on his knees the two sang “I Love My Shoes.” Everyone was well entertained.

We thought she would close her eyes on the way back to her mother’s. No way. Actually, she wanted to stay at our house overnight as we had the “big bed.” When we arrived at Julie’s, Kenzie told about her evening and the fact that Eric had said to her, “You rock, dude!”