surprise party

A few weeks before school let out, Alisha was thrown the largest baby shower of all time — as a surprise from her parents. Heck, they spent almost an hour just opening gifts. Included were several hand-made quilts (one was even tied by all the kids together!) and a complete baby wardrobe. I mean, this thing was huge. An activity worthy of Martha Stewart’s own signature. The room was decked out, the refreshments were shaped like babies, and the gifts… let’s just say no one went cheap.

It was a tough day for me, and I slipped back through the wetroom to my own classroom to (first cry, then) pull myself back together. Some of my more observant boys pieced things together. They left the party to come see if Mrs. Shea was okay. It’s not just any 11-year-old boy that would be so kind. They really are special kids, you know? Anyway, I sent them back and joined them pretty quickly. If school has taught me anything, it’s how to pull yourself together when you’d rather not.

A few weeks later, the kids threw a surprise party for me, with streamers and balloons and silly string. It wasn’t quite the event of Mrs. McDonald’s room, but it was from them to me. Nothing could be more touching.

And, as icing on the cake, one of the parents presented me with a hand-made quilt.