My Xanadu

Our friend Ruby and her husband Derek are parents to be and we had a surprise baby shower for her last Saturday.

To make the shower a hush-hush, Ruby’s hubby got into the picture and gave us tips on Ruby’s schedule. She seemed to be so busy over the summer with all her birthing classes, doctor’s appointments and other activities related to her baby’s arrival that we’re having a hard time finding a weekend that she is available. So, her hubby was able to tip us that she’ll be available on 9/13. Together with Rita’s hubby they came up with an alibi that they’re going golfing and that the ladies might as well spend their time together shopping! Perfect alibi I think!

After the guys decided to really play golf instead of just making it as an alibi, it is understood to make the shower as women and kids only. It is long-standing baby shower etiquette to make this event a women’s thing but it is very common recently to have the father and other men to be invited to the shower. After all, it’s both the mother and the father that will be parents to the baby, right?

Our group managed to plan the whole thing online; from the venue, to the breakdown of whose going to bring what food and most of all to keep the event a secret from the mother to be. Rita came up with an alibi on the last minute to invite Arlene to go shopping with them so that she has a reason to pick-up Arlene at her house where we have the party.

Rita’s hubby made sure that he brought in Rita’s filling Chicken Afritada ahead of time to Arlene’s house to not give Ruby any clue why they have to bring some food at Arlene’s.

Most of us were at our hostess’ beautiful Colonial house and Arlene did such a great job in decorating her place with colorful balloons, cute rubber-duckies floating on water-filled vases, fresh flowers in different rooms and little baby bottles filled with candies as party favors. To keep the party wholesome, she opted to only serve fresh orange juice and sodas, and the appetizing appetizers, Lumpia.

Our creative friend Ivy made a banner photo of little strollers filled with picturess of our lovely faces! The banner was so cute, I think. As requested by the group, she brought her specialty dish, Kare-kare (oxtail) dish.

Maya brought one of my favorite Filipino dishes, the Menudo. She also provided a delicious Tiramisu for dessert, which is our guest of honor’s favorite and was one thing she craved lately. Good pick for Maya!

Nonita brought a huge and colorful Garden Salad with lots of fresh lettuce, olives, sweet peppers, cucumber, tomatoes and feta cheese crumbles! I bet some of the veggies were grown from her garden patch!

Blessy came in with her Crispy Pata (roasted pork hock). We enjoyed the crispy skin and pork meat dipped in soy sauce and vinegar! It was as close as we can get to a full-roasted lechon!

Marivic brought the cake for the shower and it’s so pretty with all the baby blocks lettering and little balloons as decoration.

I myself made some Chocolate Fudge Balls coated with roasted coconut flakes, crushed almonds, confectioner’s sugar and cocoa to munch during the chikka-chikka and for the kids to enjoy as well.

Our guest of honor was generally surprised and had no clue at all….until the last minute when she saw some of our friends’ kids running around the yard as when she got out of the car! She thought that maybe, some of us have decided to join them as well!

We enjoyed the foods and the company of everyone. We oohhed and aahhhed at the beautiful baby gifts that each of us bring. We laughed our hearts out at some of the stories we shared around the table. The kids were behaved and enjoyed themselves playing at the yard and enjoying the last remaining warm weather of New England. Some of us left around 4pm, 7pm, 8p and even later.

It was a great time to be with friends and share with them the celebration for the gift of life and to wish Ruby and Derek, all the best of parenthood and a life full of happiness that their new baby may bring.

Filed under: Thankful Posts and tagged baby shower, massgirlfriends