It didn't rain, but the forecast called for cloudy coolness and we decided to let Lindsey decide whether she wanted to have it indoors or outdoors. Being the guest of honor as well as 9 months pregnant, we figured she should make the call. I was happy when she chose to have it outside. I had already peeked out back and seen the lawn chairs that Carrie and her mom had set up. They looked so inviting that I thought something would be missing from the party if we gathered inside instead.
Carrie's mom made a lovely chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, and decorated it with iced circus animal cookies--a brilliant choice. The effect was stunning--simple, yet festive.
There was a fruit platter of pineapple and watermelon wedges and both red and green grapes. Carrie's parents donated their garden-fresh cucumbers, peppers and cherry tomatoes to a veggie tray and Carrie and I kept snacking out of it as we were assembling everything.
I made a punch with 7-UP, Hawaiian punch and orange sherbet, and was thrilled about using the crystal punch bowl and cups that I got awhile back and had not yet had occasion to use. Carrie brought her beautiful crystal dessert plates, each with a circular ridge for the cup to rest on. With all of the dainty dessert things, it really felt like a tea party and set the mood just right.
Guest arrived and were given instructions to choose a name tag and select a paper basket that included the things each person would need later to play party games. We also asked each person to guess the number of Hershey's kisses in a glass container--whoever guessed closest to the actual amount (176) would get to take it home.
Another game we played involved a "buzz" word. Carrie and I chose the word "cute" as the off-limits word for the duration of the party, as it seemed like a word that most of us would use at a baby shower--especially during the gift opening part. Every guest had a colorful flower or butterfly barrette to wear in her hair or on her person, and if she got caught saying the word, she would have to surrender her barrette. The person with the most at the end of the shower would get a prize. I was surprised at the intensity with which some guests played this game. They were on a mission to catch the word cute, and woe to you if you said it! And hand over your barrette too! :)
Lindsey and the baby got lots and lots of sweet, precious, adorable (but not cute) items, and lots of ooohing and aaahing was to be had all around, as tends to be the case with baby showers everywhere.
The game that got everyone's blood pumping was one I had never played. Carrie had played it at a different shower and said it was a lot of fun--and very competitive. She was certainly right! Two miniature laundry baskets held 9 pairs of socks each. Two women would play at a time in a race against the clock and each other. We gave them 30 seconds to match the socks with the winner being the one who did it the fastest. It didn't take long to discover that there were some veteran sock matchers (moms) among us. Those ladies hands flew as they scrambled to find matches. We ended up having to have several "sock-offs" and reduced the time given to 10 seconds. The high energy and cheering was reminiscent of childhood games, and I realized that I miss having that in my life as a thirty-something woman. I don't know about anyone else, but I definitely need to incorporate some of that youthful cheer into my life again so I stay young-at-heart as the years continue to go by.
The party went on for just about 2 hours and when the first person left, it must have rung an unseen bell, reminding everyone of other things they needed to do. Everyone but Carrie, her mom, Lindsey and me left in a mass exodus, which ended up being rather nice. The four of us relaxed under the leafy branches of the fruit trees and chatted together while the wind blew gently around us. We took our time, knowing the clean-up could wait, and those moments together in the backyard were some of my favorite of the whole day.
I left for home later that night, content that we had squeezed the baby shower in among the activities of all of our busy lives. I was happy not only that it had been a wonderful party, but that I had been able to spend some time with friends dear to my heart. And I hoped that this new baby could feel the love and excitement of all of the party guests and know that she is welcome here.
1 comment:
It looks like it was a lovely shower. I think the barrette idea is fabulous!
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