Hey, MOM! We pulled it off! The kids played their cards just right and delivered their father to the driveway at about 6:30. They scooted in the side door while he walked to the back gate to pet the dogs. But the dogs were in the garage and instead a whole bunch of folks were standing on the back patio to offer a birthday greeting. It worked! He was surprised! It was a lot of fun. Not everyone knew everyone else, and my kids ignored the kids who we hoped they'd be pleased to see (they didn't remember them after 10 years) so we'll have them over again in a smaller group and make time to revisit their childhoods. I pulled out some photos but didn't find one of the kids all together (about 12 years ago) until after they had to leave. Then my son was riveted and had to look at each photo. Funny, they don't want to have them taken, but they do love looking at them later on.