Dad and ducklings

As we were driving down the interstate yesterday, the Preschooler asked this pressing question:

“Is God allergic to anything?”

You know what? At this point in the summer when the days are long and the heat index is reaching the triple digits by noon, I’m not really on my A-game with fielding questions of this sort. But I was feeling pretty good about my answer that he is, in fact, not allergic to anything. Then the 4th Grader had to chime in saying he’s probably allergic to sin. Okay, okay. Maybe so. Only a firstborn would point out these kind of technicalities. But, I still think God would check the little box beside “no known allergies” on a health form.

The Preschooler went onto say she sure hopes he isn’t allergic to the angels. I know feathers {which might come into play on angel wings} are a common allergen. But again, I feel pretty good about saying he’s allergy-free and heaven is a hypoallergenic environment.

Speaking of heaven… Yesterday would have been my dad’s 72nd birthday. When someone passes away at the age of 60, I suppose it can be argued that he or she lived a good number of adult years. But, when I think about all that he has missed in the past eleven years and all he’ll continue to miss in the coming ones, I think it can also be argued that 60 is much too young. Dad was always a big fan of dessert, so in his honor I took the girls downtown yesterday to have ice cream. I think he would have enjoyed the outing and the lively company and possibly even worn a birthday hat for the occasion.

And, speaking of things he would enjoy… My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first child this September. I know if Dad were here he would love my girls and my sisters’ kids with his whole being. I think this baby who is going to share his name, though, might have sent him over the moon.

Our whole family is pretty excited about this little one’s arrival, so it was a treat to host a shower for them as they were in transit between Boston and their new Air Force assignment in Louisiana. It’s hard to even imagine the culture/climate change they’re about to experience in that move!

Our theme for the shower was “Make Way for Ducklings” based on the children’s book by Robert McCluskey. The story is about two ducks who are trying to find a good place to raise their new brood of ducklings in Boston in the 1940’s. I know every party or shower doesn’t require a theme, but this one seemed fitting for a couple who has lived in Boston and would recognize the references to streets and landmarks.

When it comes to event planning, I’m the type who tends to get overly focused on minutiae. I’ll be painting placecards or watching a YouTube the night before the party on how to fold napkins in the shape of a swan. Meanwhile, I neglect to focus on the main thing which is always the food.

So, only thanks to a collaborative effort by a team of friends and family who were patient with my type-A ways, we hosted a houseful of guests with a table full of decor and food.

I wish I could make petit fours. But, alas, I can get stressed out making store-bought brownies. So, a local bakery crafted these for us. The duck legs are a bit longer than I envisioned them being, but the tasty raspberry filling made up for the wonky legs.

I did miraculously figure out how to mold little chocolate ducks after some trial and error. I won’t be teaching a class on molding anytime soon, but it was easier than I thought it might be. You’ll notice there are far more dark chocolate ducks than milk or white. The missing milk chocolate ones were stolen and eaten by the handful when a certain 5-year-old discovered them beforehand. {And, that’s why a certain 5-year-old went swimming with her dad during the actual shower}.

I think everyone agreed that the most challenging question on the nursery rhyme quiz was, “What did Jack burn we he jumped over the candlestick?” We all know the first verse: “Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack jumped over the candlestick.” But, only a few guests knew the second verse, “Jack jumped high, Jack jumped low, Jack jumped over and burned his toe.” So, if you ever find yourself on Jeopardy or at a baby shower playing this game, the answer is TOE!

My sister’s specialty is thumbprint cookies. She’s also good with diaper cakes. So, she made a tabletop display and packaged her thumbprints in favor boxes. You can never have too much sugar at a shower. 

This is where I would like to insert pictures of people. Sadly, I don’t have many posed pictures because I am terrible at corralling people for group photos. I had to obnoxiously ring a Christmas bell just to gather everyone for the games. 

Despite my lack of professional photos or emceeing abilities, we have no less already “made way” for this new baby and can’t wait to see him in the arms of this sweet mom-to-be!