Shower #2

TEACHING STAFF SHOWER

My second shower was thrown by the people at my school, sponsored by the Sunshine Committee (a committee I was privileged to be a member of whose primary job is to spread cheer throughout the staff!)

The hostess was a fellow member of the committee and fellow mom, Ms. Ana Castro. She opened her home to the male and female staff members who wanted to attend this Baby Shower. I really do like the new idea that boys and girls can come together and share in the love and excitement. I know the boys may think it is a little awkward at first, but they really do enjoy themselves when they are there.

Ana, Miriam, Kara and other members of the committee all brought yummy food to eat for the staff to enjoy. It was a life saver for me because I had just finished my last "short day...." and sometimes those short days are worse than the long days because you get stuck in meetings and never get a chance to EAT! I was starving and came ready to chow down!

My good friend, and co-worker, Stacey Posey was secretly asked to make the shower cake for the event. She makes THE most amazing carrot cake in existence. I really mean it because I had tasted it before. Well, she ended up decorating this amazing carrot cake with beautiful designs and adorable wooden blocks! (spelling out cute codes like X2 for times two babies...and FOR AMY, etc.) I had just seen a pack of wooden blocks at the consignment store that I wanted, but hesitated because they were $20.00. I thought that was a little steep for a consignment store, even if they were Pottery Barn brand. And here were these brand new, beautiful blocks on top of my cake! Perfect....

The committee also set up some fun baby games, which I had never played before. The first one was "Guess the Baby Food." I was really close on some, remembering when my little sister ate that stuff, but it was the meat mixed with vegetables that threw me off. There are some pretty funny pictures of people tasting these baby treats....and Charles and I resolved to try to make as much homemade baby food as we could after tasting those. :-)

The second baby game was one I had seen before, but just slightly different. The job was to guess how large my belly was just by looking, and cutting a string of the appropriate size. People tied both ends of the string together and then came up one by one to put them over my head. Ms. Marcie, the attendance secretary won that prize by guessing EXACTLY how large I was. Very good job Marcie!

There was not such a big to do about gifts (which I was thankful for), as the staff felt it was best to take donations from anyone who wanted and they got us an amazingly generous gift certificate to Target, which is one of our registry places (not to mention where we can also get diapers!). I was literally stupefied by the generosity of all the staff at ACMS; I told everyone that I do feel so very lucky to work there. And many people went above and beyond and got me extra baby clothes and things off our registry despite the group gift certificate.

The gift that made me cry (for the first time...dang it!) was from our Resource Officer, Wendy Daniels. She crocheted two beautiful blankets: one pink and one yellow, blue and green. Along with that she crocheted two of the most intricate dresses complete with heart shaped buttons, ribbons around the waist, and stork boutineer type buttons. Those dresses came with matching hats and booties. I have them displayed in our baby room and get the biggest ooohs and ahhhs from people. They are all amazed at her craftsmanship.

That the staff would spend their afternoon celebrating with me in this way on my last week left me feeling truly appreciated and loved. And I heard from many other staff members that they had a really great and relaxing time at the event, which was super to hear.

Even my students got in on the gig: on the last day of my teaching, they got me a cake from Costco and we all celebrated together during my last class. Four students actually bought baby gifts from burping cloths, to socks, to matching outfits, and baby blankets. I requested they not buy things and that they make things instead, but they were so excited! Every other student made me a card congratulating me and telling me to "feel better." I guess they could see I wasn't holding up as well as the days passed...with my feet and fingers swelling, and my constant trips to the bathroom.... :-)

What a nice end to my time at work... Thanks to all!

Click here for more photos of this event.