Feliz Compleanos Don Pedro!

Although Pete doesn't turn 40 officially until July 1st, last week some of the staff, and even more so, the parents of students at his Elementary school planned and executed a surprise birthday fiesta for him in the school's MPR. His boss Lisa told me the parents especially had wanted to honor Peter and the difference they felt he made at the school and for their children. 

The school he is assistant principal of is located in the middle of the barrio in Santa Ana, and there are a lot of struggling families in the area.  Kindly they inivited me and Pete's folks to come and be the special guests of the guest of honor for the party.

When we arrived before the "surprise" it was evident they had put much time, money and hard work into planning his party.  They had hired a full mariachi band to play throughout the party, there was a table full of many different kinds of foods, also decorations, presents, and a giant cake. And there were many excited people who were obviously pleased to have an occasion to be able to show their affection and admiration for Peter. That always makes me happy. 

Pete, too, who really hates the spotlight, was a wonderful guest of honor.

Here he is, lured into the MPR for some reason or another, and getting the big surprise:

                 Let the fiesta begin!

(and yes, Carrie, as you accurately anticipated, I have several video clips as well as pictures to

help everyone capture the full spirit of the occasion!)

Like all good fiestas there was music:

this band of Mariachis was hilarious and muy talented

(well, I assume they were hilarious, 

every time they were between numbers they 

called out to the crowd, and the crowd would roar

 with laughter or respond

with returned wittisisms. 

  Sadly, I don't habla espanol.) 

(There was also a birthday theme - soccer! 

or I should say futbol, Pete is known at the school

for his fondness for futbol.

Actually Pete normally wears a shirt and tie everyday to work, 

but on this day he had played in a soccer game of staff vs. students

 and as a result is wearing his more casual

Martin Elementary polo style shirt) 

And there was dancing!

Pete and I were cajoled into dancing in front of the crowed

for a bit - its hard to spin your husband when he's wearing a sombrerro 

and much better, the Fabulous Fabiola (Pete's office manager!) 

performed some traditional Mexican dances with her dance partner. 

here's a clip:

        Leaves you wanting more, doesn't it!

Performing the "el toro" bull fighting dance 

thank you Fabiola! 

And there was food!

homemade corn tortillas with a lot to put inside them, 

mexican rice, chicken, chili verde, 

salads, rice pudding, noodle dishes, fruit,

 several decadent things I cannot identify,

many jello rings and salads.

So delicious! 

Plus this giant container of homemade horchata, or rice milk

we all enjoyed a run through the buffet

another reason I believe Pete is so embraced by his school community is his ability and willingness 

      to speak Spanish with everyone:

(in the clip you can see Pete's amazing boss/principal Lisa

come through the door in black dress & red sweater

in the background)

And of course there was cake!

This was made by a parent in the neighborhood

who makes wedding cakes out of her home -

the top layer was carrot, the giant bottom layer

was marble cake. Everything (except the cheesy balloon sign)

was edible.  White chocolate ribbon! 

I noticed they spelled our last name

the same way it was pronounced by everyone, with no "d"

And there were several renditions of "Happy Birthday to You!"

       The Mariachi Band sings:

        And the crowd sings over the cake:

Pete's principal told him that it was tradition for the guest of honor

to take the first bite out of the cake before it was cut;

of course she then pushed his face into it! 

One of these things is not like the other....

Thank you Glenn L. Martin Elementary parents and staff for

such a thoughtful and enthusiastic show of love for Peter! 

And one last time to sing us out, the mariachis

with a little bit of the Mexican Hat Dance: