birthday celebration

Birthdays at school are the best. They really are. My students absolutely LOVE celebrating my birthday. It happens every year, and this year was no exception. Once again I was showered with gifts and flowers. Interestingly, this year I realized that my least favorite students, the ones who drive me nuts, the ones who make me lose my cool, and frankly the ones I show the least love to, are the ones who were the most excited about my birthday, and the ones who were so eager to give me presents. Kinda made me rethink some things...

But anyway, on to the festivities!

I made made a cake and brought it in to share with my class. From the reaction of my students, you would have thought my simple, yellow, Betty Crocker cake was a masterpiece from the most renowned baker. Many were absolutely begging me for the recipe because they just couldn't believe that I made such a thing. Ha!

I should actually back up a bit. It all started with the flowers that came to the school from my dad. Every year since we were little he has gotten us flowers for our birthday, and not even the Atlantic Ocean or a 9 hour time difference can break that tradition. :) They came a day early and were delivered to the library where my class was trying to read. Immediately they were consumed with a burning desire to know who sent flowers to their teacher. I even had 6 girls sneak into the room during recess to read the card that was stuck amidst the blooms!

On the day of my actual birthday, Rey surprised me with a mountain of gifts. I asked him the day before if he was going to wrap them, and from the sheepish look on his face, I knew he had forgotten. So he was busy in the morning searching for wrapping paper. He ended up finding some and when he got it home, he realized it was clear with small gold flowers and hearts on it. So much for secrecy! :) But it was an A for effort!

The gift mountain awaiting me after school:

Rey had to work in the evening, so I relaxed at home until he was done. Then he and I plus a few close friends went out to an Italian restaurant where we stuffed ourselves with a delicious dinner.

So here are the final results of my big day:

Pajamas :) (this is the second time I've gotten pj's from a student!)

decorated box, perfume, watch

mug (Smile, it will make people wonder what you are up to), Indian version of a George Foreman, called a Sanjeev Kapoor :) (from Rey's parents), AWESOME digital camera (from Rey), bunny

an extremely Arab gift--perfume set, candle holders, wallet

and a GUITAR!!! I'm sure many of you are laughing right now, but believe it or not, this is what I wanted (also from Rey. Despite the clear wrapping paper, he did a VERY good job!) It is my goal in my 25th year to defy nature and learn to do something musical: play the guitar!