Let the festivities begin...

The morning began with a wonderful shower. I mention this because it was made a million times better than normal by the NEW shower head my friend of all friends Kate got me! It was my first birthday present, given to me yesterday so I could enjoy it this morning.

The fabulous shower was followed by a delicious pancake breakfast, and my first present of the birthday day- this gorgeous windchime! Kate made every bit of it in her classroom and I love it the most of any present I've ever been given!

Once I got to school, dressed in my springy favorite green dress, Casey came to greet me and we took a birthday picture because we both looked so cute. :)

As the kids started filing in, the funniest and sweetest gifts came along with them. A graduation owl from 1999, some already used bath gel and lotion, a box of Little Debbie snack along with some cute earrings, a ring, a bracelet, some ceramic birds perching on branches, soft sleeping socks from Bath and Body, and a shooting marble. Of course, there were lots of homemade cards, and pictures were taken of all of it. Such thoughtful little kiddos I have!

My most challenging kid of the year came into the room before anyone else, surprised me, and sang the whole birthday song to me. Then he made up a reason why he needed to make a card "for his mom." After working for a while at his desk, he mysteriously disappeared and brought this with him when they came to the class. It was signed by all my kids, some of my other science kids, the principal, the nurse, our computer tech guy, and several other teachers. Amazing!




At lunch time, I was settling in to eat my bagel and fruit, and was in the process of showing off my windchime to Erin, when Kate walked through the door! She brought Thai food for Casey, herself, and I! I wasn't expecting it at all and already felt so spoiled. It was perfect. Along with the lunch, she brought the funniest present ever! A personalized Kleenex box, with pictures of us on it and a little note! Who knew you could do such a random thing?



In the end I had a desk full of fun things, and a board full of sweet cards. The kids were so excited to give me each present, and I felt so loved and appreciated. They really do start to care about you I guess!






At the end of the day I was in the middle of a little lecture (they had been picking on the hall monitors), when Carlye's mom came in with cupcakes, a gardenia plant, and a Starbucks gift card! Could the day get any better? Another girl in the class was holding up Carlye's little sister behind us. :)

It's been a truly incredible day- one of the best ever. I was completely shocked by all the work my kids went to, and how excited they were to show me they love me. All day I was getting e-cards, texts, and facebook messages telling me happy birthday. I'm in awe at the goodness of the Father in giving me so many good gifts, the best of which are these amazing people whose lives I get to be a part of. What a good God!