Name the Candy Bar – Candy bars melted in baby diapers are passed around the room as guests stick their noses in the diaper attempting to guess what kind of candy bar it is. (This game provides “Kodak moments” a plenty!)

Wrap the Mommy – Guests tear off the number of squares of toilet paper they estimate it will take to wrap around the new mommy’s tummy.

Baby Food Sampling – Guests pass around jars of baby food (labels removed) as they smell or taste the contents and write down their guess of baby food.

Baby Price Is Right – guests are shown different baby items such as wipes, diapers, rattles, bibs, and such. The goal is to correctly guess the price of the items. The guest who comes the closest wins.

Baby Bingo – Each guest is given a bingo card with baby gifts in each square. As the guest of honor unwraps presents, the guests mark off those that appear on their bingo card.

Sticker Swap – Each guest is provided a sticker with instructions that they may not speak words such as baby, cute, or girl, and if they are heard uttering one of those words by another guest, that guest takes their sticker. The person with the most stickers at the end of the shower wins.

Name The Parents – Photos of celebrity children clipped from pop-culture magazines are passed around as guests determine which celebrity parents belong to each child.

April Brings Baby Showers The Saturday Evening Post

Some look forward to a break from school, a chance to set the clocks forward, celebrate Easter, or simply tend to gardens. But for everyone, the changing of seasons provides a time for rejuvenation and a fresh perspective—with nature as our guide.

What do you enjoy about the springtime? Tell us about your specific chores, activities, or routines for this season.

There’s Spring in the Air The Saturday Evening Post

Grandma Eileen and Grandpa Jim were in Indianapolis for the summer. I felt that Grandma needed to get out of the house for a little while, so I took her with me to run a few errands. Because her knees often hurt due to surgeries after falling off a horse in her youth, it was quite a battle getting her into my SUV. But after what seemed like hours of maneuvering and adjusting, we were buckled up and off to the bank.

To avoid the grueling process of getting in and out of the car, I decided to opt for drive-thru banking. As I was explaining my transaction to the teller, I heard the ding sound that signals a car door ajar. I looked over to my passenger, and yes, she was making a break for it! I inquired as to where she was going, and with an “isn’t it obvious” tone in her voice, Grandma replied: “I’m going to the bank.” Now, far be it from me to hold her back from doing her imaginary personal banking, as I’m pretty sure she did not hold an account at that banking institution, nor any other one for that matter. But I explained that I was working with the teller, and we didn’t even need to get out of the car; how convenient! She was delighted with the concept and closed the car door.

After the bank, I stopped to get a bagel and told Grandma that she could sit in the car while I went inside. I asked if she was hungry and she responded, “Sure.” Always so agreeable when it comes to food or drink, I thought. It must run in the family. But then I asked what kind of bagel she wanted. Blueberry? Salt? Plain? With light cream cheese? Butter? Or toasted? I waited for at least three minutes. Finally, she asked politely for “a round one.” As opposed to the ever popular, but far less tasty, triangular shaped bagels? I did hear that the octagonal bagel was making a comeback, and quite a treat, I thought. But she decided to stick with the original round bagel! You have to appreciate that kind of answer after so much consideration!

Have you ever been able to appreciate a light-hearted moment while coping with ongoing grief?

Running Errands … The Saturday Evening Post

When I told one of my classmates of my special day, she said: “You can’t celebrate your half-birthday. Today is my full birthday!”

I’m sure her party-pooper spirit was purely protecting her birthday spotlight. But I’ve always enjoyed birthday celebrations, my own and others, because each age offers the promise of reinvention.

I often think of writing a list of things I want to accomplish before turning a year older, but that list is usually compiled days before that birthday, not affording much time for completion! I put a lot of stock in blowing out the candles and making a birthday wish. I consider it one of my best chances to be fulfilled by the wish fairies, right up there with wishing on a shooting star! Thus, deep thought and consideration goes into my once-a-year opportunity to make a dream come true!

I have friends who celebrate nonsensical holidays or celebrations that nonetheless provide a reason to get together and have a good time. And even Seinfeld touted the positive attributes of “Festivus for the rest of us!”

I believe that there are infinite opportunities to celebrate, and the more we do, the more uplifting, cheerful, and enjoyable our lives will be.

Have you invented a holiday or thrown a party with an original theme?

Do you reserve celebration for typical holidays and birthdays, or do you indulge more frequently?

Silly Celebrations The Saturday Evening Post

All I would be “thinking” about is how much my dog means to me and whether to put her through cancer treatment. It took every ounce of self-restraint in my body to not grab and cuddle her on the floor in the exam room. With a lump in my throat, and anticipating uncontrollable sobbing in my immediate future, I tried to put on a brave face for my little Zoffa, who is actually 110 pounds of little. (But that’s down from a pleasantly plump 119 of last year!)

She enjoyed a rawhide treat on our drive home. I was deep in thought …

Zoffa brought my fiancé and me together. I had a crush on him, and Zoffa was his 2-year-old puppy. I remember watching him give her a bone and then take it away, a technique he said would prevent her from biting his future children. Hearing him talk about kids and the way he played and cared for his dog spoke volumes to me. Zoffa and I were friends right off the bat. It didn’t take long for her ‘Dad’ to follow suit, and soon all three of us began dating!

Today, more than five years later, my relationship with Zoffa is something I cherish greatly. I look into her eyes and know that she understands me when I gripe about receiving tires for a Valentine’s Day gift. She makes a wonderful pillow and gives the best hugs.

Fortunately, my sister who works at an animal clinic advised me to get a second opinion, and I’ve scheduled an appointment two days from today. Cross your fingers that I’ll hear better news. But no matter what, Zoffa and I will be spending more time together, and taking longer walks despite inclement weather!

What are your stories of special pets in your life?

Have one of your pets been diagnosed with a type of cancer?  If so, what treatment, if any, did you choose?

Zoffa on My Mind The Saturday Evening Post

I’ve had years of practice writing papers of varied length and on assorted subjects, so the task, in my mind, was not daunting. However, my brother, 10 years my junior, viewed the assignment as a mountain of which he could not see the peak, nor imagine arriving on top! I knew he could use my help, and it would give us a chance to spend time together, mutually beneficial! When I accepted his request of assistance, his shoulders relaxed, I saw a smile, and the tension subsided. He didn’t require the amount of help I was prepared to give, but just having me sit next to him and support him seemed to lend self-confidence and spirit to his ability.

I received the final draft for revision with a note attached stating that he could not have accomplished what he’d done without me. He went on to write that it might not have been a “big deal” or challenge for me, but for him it was huge. I informed him that I did not deserve the credit, as he was the author. I sat next to him and fine-tuned a few spelling and grammatical errors, and I was happy to have the opportunity to spend time with him.

Have you ever done something for someone that you didn’t think was a big deal, but it meant the world to them?

Have you tutored or mentored anyone and felt your reward in watching their success?

If you had a project you needed help completing, do you have a special friend or relative you would turn to for support?

Family Ties The Saturday Evening Post

During my 20s, the romantic significance of Valentine’s Day took hold. If I weren’t dating anyone at the time, I would get together with a group of single girlfriends. For some reason, no one wanted to be alone on Valentine’s night! Extreme measures were taken to ensure a date, such as postponing a breakup until after Valentine’s (guilty)!

Gift giving is customary, and I’ve received and given alike. My most memorable gifts were purple roses from a neighbor. I knew red roses signified love, yellow roses, friendship; but I wasn’t sure about the meaning behind purple roses. I also remember one of my boyfriends giving me a workout outfit; appreciated, yes, but on a romantic date such as Valentine’s Day, not so much!

What unique or surprising Valentine’s gifts have you given or received?

Do you have any memories of a particularly exciting Valentine’s Days?

Valentine Vision The Saturday Evening Post