Surprise!

As a treat for the "graduating" eighth graders, we planned to show movies this afternoon, allowing the kids to sign up for the one that they wanted. I was supposed to show Grease, but when I went to the video store, it wasn't on the shelves, even though their computer said it would be. Crud! So I picked out a couple of others: Little Shop of Horrors, and Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. Decided to show LSOH because I don't think too many kids have seen it.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the 6th grade team asked me to join them during their lunch period (which is my prep period). I thought they just wanted some fellowship before I depart for retirement...but they didn't seem to be paying too much attention to me. Hmmm... Then one of my own team members said we were going to meet about the same time (10:00) to talk about the awards ceremony and some other matters. Double hmmmm... Then I was led to a closet classroom at the end of the hall where there was a huge sheet cake, tons of cookies, drinks, ice, balloons, long-stemmed white roses...and a "Congrats Peg" message on the white board. I was told that I was being relieved of my movie duties so I could receive my retirement well-wishers! Surprise! Class by class, the students were traipsed down to the room to hand me pictures they had colored with notes on the back. (I told them I wasn't going to read them there because I didn't want to cry.) There were gifts--a quilt hanging, a scrapbook, a lovely book with a picture to match. It was very nice. I had no clue all of this was swirling around me! My only regret was that I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Had I known I was going to be celebrated, I would have cleaned up a little more! It was very nice. Knowing the gal who did all the work, I'm sure she fretted about it for weeks!

It was a perfect ending for a weird week. Next Wednesday, the high school is having a little reception for me since I taught there for most of my tenure in Monrovia. I will dress a bit better for that one!

Needless to say, I'm pooped!