Early Christmas

I can't ever surprise Tim.  

Ok--maybe not "never" but at least rarely.

In the span of our years together, Tim has discovered almost ever gift I've ever intended for him, not because he's nosy...  In fact he doesn't even look for his presents.  He just happens to find them, no matter how or where I hide them.

This year the kids unanimously decided that Dad needed a new phone.  He has previously been the owner of the first generation of the Android phone.  In phone years that makes his phone really, really old, and he just hasn't upgraded yet...

So we decided to do it for him.  

This was the plan:  

1. Buy the phone two days before Christmas with instructions to activate on Christmas Day.  
2. Purchase the phone on the Verizon account so it wouldn't show up on the debit card.
3. Hide the phone at my office until Christmas Eve.  Tim was working a midnight shift on Christmas Eve and the day before Christmas Eve.  He would be sleeping a lot during the day.  Chances of him finding out about the phone...about .001%.

I was proud of us for concocting this plan.

This was the phone we selected...a much improved and updated version of his well-used loved Android phone.   

Jeran, who was with me, thought dad would like the iPhone.  I love mine, but explained to Jeran that dad, who I have known for 17.5 years doesn't usually go for huge changes.  I told Jeran about the time the person cutting Tim's hair suggested a new hairstyle.  The result?  He didn't go back to her.  Shirt style, pants, shoes...all 100% predictable.

Here's where the plan went wrong.  While Jeran and I were making the purchase, Tim was supposed to be catching a few hours of sleep before going to work.  Instead, he and the teen gang ended up at the mall...

And while Tim was waiting for the teen gang to shop, he saw the Verizon store at the mall and decided he would upgrade his phone while waiting.

Really?  

From what I'm told, here's how the conversation went:  

Verizon service representative:  How can I help you?

Tim:  I need to upgrade my phone.

Verizon service representative (checking the computer for the upgrade):  Ummm...I'm showing you're not due for an upgrade until 2013.

Really?  

About an hour later, with Tim's phone tucked securely away at my office, Tim started dropping hints that he knew about my purchase.

"I think I'll upgrade my phone in January."

I kept my poker face.  He'd be so surprised.

Then:  "I think I'll get an iPhone."

My poker face was slipping a little.

Finally, with a huge grin on his face he told me about his encounter with the friendly grinch Verizon service representative at the mall.  GRRRRRRRR!

The good news is, we got the right phone.

The better news (for Tim) is that he got an early Christmas present.

The bad news for me is that somehow, once again, Tim discovered a surprise.

I'm open to suggestions for next year.  Anyone?  Anyone?