My Birthday!

So I wasn’t really sure what to expect on my birthday… but they do birthdays up big here!

At breakfast Mary gave me a big hug and handed me a little box – which had a really pretty bracelet in it! I headed off to school and got lots of “Happy Birthdays” when I got there. My 4 year olds sang to me several times in both English and Spanish. They drew me pictures, and every time they handed me a new one they told me to close my eyes then surprised me with it. They asked several times where my birthday cake was and when the party was going to start. For most of their birthdays thus far the parents have brought the party to the class – so of course they expected a party for my birthday.

Before lunch some of Rachel’s 6th graders came by my class and wished me Happy Birthday. I didn’t think about it being strange at the time, but some of them walked me to lunch while others stayed around the room. I ate lunch, then while I was sitting and talking some of Rachel’s kids told me to come with them. They led me to my room… where they had set up a surprise party! It was a birthday party for me and a welcome back party for Rachel, who had just returned that day from the States (where she got engaged :-D) Yea for my first surprise party! They went all out – balloons, cake, cokes… it was fantastic!

Then when I got up to my 10th graders, they were all crazy – we were supposed to take a test, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen. They sang to me several times, then we just had a quasi-free period, which was fun.

After school, I got a surprise from Katie and Fritz – they knew that I had never been on a motorcycle before so they asked on the of the maintenance guys that had a moto if he would drive me around the parking lot a few times. I’ll admit, I was nervous… but it was really fun! I’m glad that it was only around the parking lot – I don’t think I could handle driving out on the road on a moto yet…

After school we just went home and had a relaxing night. I got to talk to a few people on the phone and online which was nice. Mary made little cupcakes for dinner which were super good! I think I even went to bed early, which is a change as well. Overall it was a fantastic day! I could not have asked for a better birthday!