"Book Shower"

Last Saturday, my friends (who started out as co-workers) threw a book shower for Bob and I. Each guest was given a little book plate sticker to go in the children's books they brought. Each sticker has a little tree that matches the nursery and says "Margot's Library." How wonderful to have your own library before you're even born!

Lucky little Margot got SO MANY good books. Some we knew, and they took us way back: Curious George, The Hungry Little Caterpillar, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, etc. Others were new to us, and I'm sure we'll have gobs of fun reading to her.

And there were wonderful little blankets and outfits. It was just a perfect afternoon spent among friends and books.

The only thing I'd change: I look huge in the pictures! Why didn't someone tell me my dress was billowing up around me?! I easily look twice as big as I really am. I've got a few showers coming up: Bev's in Alabama and my mom's in Indiana and I think one Bob's mom, Betty, is throwing. Please, people, don't let me be photographed like that again! I know I'll get to be huge. But I'm not there yet.

Oh, my self confidence is slightly shattered...

"Olympia Pride"

So here's a funny story for you:

Last year around this time, Bob's parents (Bob-the-Dad and Betty) came out to Washington for a visit. Wanting to find fun things in the area to do to entertain our guests, I scoured the newspaper for local events. Lo and behold, I found something called "The Olympia Pride Parade." Well, I'm proud of Olympia. And who doesn't love a parade?

So we get downtown Olympia and are walking up to the parade, and Bob notices these men dressed in military clothes and carrying a rainbow flag. Bob says to me, "Those men are not in correct uniform!" I was like... "Oh, they're probably in the reserves or something. No big deal." Then Bob noticed the rainbow flags, and he says, "This is a gay parade!" I, looking to just enjoy the afternoon, assured him this was Olympia- and there are all kinds of rainbows around on any given day.

Then we rounded the corner to find float after float of rainbows and people with outstanding costumes. I was drawn like a moth to a flame... "Pretty colors and glitter!" while Bob shrunk back. Anyway, it ended up okay. We just rerouted and went to the Farmer's Market downtown instead.

I saw a banner for the parade again this year, and I had a good chuckle to myself. And I went down to enjoy the costumes (by myself) yesterday. For the most part it was extremely family friendly. -Except for the Village People look-alike guy who was wearing leather ass-less chaps. You just don't see a stranger's butt cheeks in public that often. The people around me were first intrigued (as was I) and then a little outraged. This was supposed to be for families and the community. There's one in every crowd who takes it too far.

Overall... I just enjoyed the fact that people can dress up in rainbow headbands and glittery wings and celebrate diversity. It was a beautiful day, and I look forward to attending next year with Margot. Diversity and acceptance of different cultures, races, sexual orientation starts at home. We've got to teach our kids how to love.

Don't worry... I'll be ready to hide her eyes in case the Village People guy is there again.

"Twins"

Last week at school was "spirit week," and Tuesday was twin day. So my friend and English teaching colleague, Kim, dressed up as my pregnant twin. She is not really pregnant, but she's got three kids, so she knew the drill. She walked with a swayed back and a waddle all day long. -Even though I don't do either of those yet.

We made little buttons that said, "Ask me about my pregnant twin!" That's how rumors are started...