Jimmy's 50th Birthday Surprise Party

My son-in-law, Jimmy Rizzo, is about to celebrate his 50th birthday; and his wife, my daughter, Jenny, threw him a surprise birthday bash none of us will soon forget, including a lounge singer and casino games such as craps and poker.

Jimmy and Jenny's son, Zach, flew in from his school in Manhattan a couple of days early but hid in his room so his dad wouldn't realize he'd come home. Jimmy's sister Kelly and her husband Don flew in from New Jersey "for a week" which would have them here until the actual birthday date. Kelly and Jimmy and their sister Dawn (who lives near them in Chandler) went out for a spa day. While Jimmy was being pampered, however, Zach came down to build a stage and move furniture around for Jimmy's surprise on their return.

Guests began arriving promptly at 5. (We expected Jimmy, Kelly and Dawn to return about 6.)

Gianna must have played hard because she didn't want to get out of bed from her afternoon nap. Family friend Chris hung out with her so she'd awaken instead of falling back to sleep.

Another of my beautiful daughers, Dorothy, was also visiting from the East Coast with her daughter Cailey. Here we see that Dorothy is clearly a woman from another time.

At 6:10, Jimmy and his sisters arrived. No cars were in front of the house. He and Kelly and Dawn had donned 1920s wear on the premise that they were going to another theme party after picking up Jenny.

But no: The party was here.

After my son, John, had set up the sound, and before the lounge singer arrived, Zach and his friends gave a short set. They're really good!

Gianna was still sleepy but she adores her big brother.

Daddy with Dominic, my youngest grandchild; followed by Mommy and Dominic, and Zach, my eldest grandchild, with Papa Michael.

The craps game downstairs turned out to be the most popular.

Even my husband, Keith, and John got into the act.

Upstairs, poker was the name of the game.

…while Dorothy and Gianna played pool. Sort of.

Time for cake!

…and the blowing of the candles, which Jimmy accomplished with help from Gianna.

My eldest grandchildren, Zach and Cailey. Both definitely have the speakeasy vibe going!

L2R: Kelly, Dawn, Michale, Jimmy, me, Jenny, and Don