(a Betta fish, in this case)

10. While practicing democracy, when the class was allowed to vote on names (suggested by classmates), the runners up are Rosy, Blue, and Kim. (It’s a blue fish. Not sure how Rosy was such a popular vote.) The winning name- King.*
9. The kids ask daily, “Is it a girl fish or a boy fish?” and are not satisfied with “whichever you want.” Even after being declared a boy fish, the students still take a daily, independent vote when they think teacher is not watching.
8. If teacher forgets to say, “Good Morning, King” after announcements, she is quickly reminded by at least two volunteers.
6. While building Classroom Community and practicing the delicate arts of complimenting, one child requests to give King a compliment. Said request granted, and ten more hands shoot up into the air. (The class appears to think King’s strengths include being a good swimmer and a good friend)
5. While playing Name Bingo during same said Community Time, students request to know why King’s name is missing from the Bingo cards containing the class roster.
4. At the end of the day, students are encouraged to remember the day’s activities and finish the sentence, “I had a great day because…..” Everyday, one student will wave hand enthusiastically and when called on, (by a teacher thinking, “Oh! They really had a great day for some reason! I must be a great teacher!”) will ask to go see King for a minute. Another hand up. Eventual mass exodus by class to fish bowl as they wait for their bus to be called.
3. The aforesaid Exodus to the fish bowl is the only time the shyest student in class will actually raise his hand to ask a question. Imagine a child who says very little all day whispering, “May I go see the fish?” with bright and hopeful eyes.
2. During silent reading time, students request to read to King. By some strange miracle from heaven, the fish actually swims to the edge of the bowl to look at the pictures as the kids turn the pages.
1. And finally, the #1 Reason you know your classroom is too attached to their pet:
On the way to the bus ramp last Friday, the students were very concerned that their teacher was leaving King alone for the WHOLE WEEKEND with NO FOOD. Stories of pet fish deaths ineveitably to follow throughout the remainder of the five minute bus ramp walk.

*The rejected fish name suggestions that nobody voted for except the one kid who thought of it: Becca, Rebecca (two friends suggesting names one after another here), Nemo and Roofoos.

Despite the odds, Josh seemed to be successfully surprised at his party. There were a couple of challenges to pull this thing off. For starters, Josh is working from home, as am I (sort of) since it’s summer. And he doesn’t leave the apartment. Ever. And the apartment has partitions instead of walls, so a phone conversation can be heard throughout every square foot.
But I was determined and a few factors actually worked in my favor. Like Josh didn’t find it too weird that I randomly started taking my cell phone with me on walks. And he has no sense of errand timing and thought nothing of it when I was gone for three hours to supposedly go grocery shopping. (And didn’t check my trunk to find Party City bags) I think it also helps that all of his friends are so honest that Josh completely trusts them and anything they say. (“Uh…I think we’re already doing something Friday, but I’m not sure….”)
So with some major help from Andy, Jill, Mike, and Will, I took Josh out to eat while they came in, decorated, set up food, and had the whole apartment rearranged to suit a party-sized crowd. He was incredibly shocked when he walked in and about 20 people were piled on top of the couch in the corner of the room yelling SURPRISE!!!

Of course, we had some close calls. Here’s just a few:
1) I printed a picture of Josh’s face to cut out as part of the centerpiece. When he came back from volunteering at church, the first thing I heard him say- “Why is there a picture of me on the computer?” My feeble attempt at an answer,”Oh, I missed you while you were gone all morning and went through old pictures.” (Yup, he bought it.)

2) Someone sent me an instant gmail message that popped up on my screen and read, “Thanks for the directions, but you forgot to give the apartment number.” Thankfully, I saw it and took it down before Josh noticed.

3) Gmail pops up a window to let you know whenever you have a new email, including the name of sender and the first line from the email — for example, “‘We’d love to come to the party!” I could NOT figure out how to turn this feature off, and Josh uses my computer a lot for work. So I kinda made up that he had to turn it off or he might see a confirmation email about a gift I (didn’t really) ordered online for him. Bought that one, too.

And finally,
4)After we ate dinner the night of, Josh starts pushing to go get ice cream. Naturally, he thought it was weird of me to refuse to go. I pulled the whole “I’m just SO TIRED” routine. (Translation- “There’s 20 people waiting for you at the apartment!!”) But he just needed that ice cream and made the decision to stop at Kroger. Where he did not let me run in to get it alone (heart skipping a beat), he took his time walking in ( cold sweat) and did not want to leave the magazine section. (minor nausia.)

But we made it home, finally. It was really touching to see how many people made that extra effort to come from out of town or in the middle of busy summer schedules.
I don’t think this surprise would have been possible if Josh wasn’t as loving and trusting as he is. When I asked him to fix my gmail so he wouldn’t see the emails coming into it, he did it. When I begged him to take me home instead of getting the ice cream he was so obviously craving, he actually apologized that he forgot that I must be feeling so tired. And Josh allows me a lot of freedom, so he doesn’t question where I go shopping or constantly check the online banking to see how much I spent. (Note to self: I must never use these powers for evil.)
Josh, I think the only reason you had a great surprise is because you put so much trust and faith in your family and friends.
Thanks, Birthday Man. Happy 25th!!!