I am hosting a shower for a friend who is expecting a "surprise baby" in Sept. She has a bunch of kids her youngest being in fifth grade. This is a blended family. She is in her mid forties. At first she was not too happy about things---but after a month or so got very excited about it. She is a teacher and the baby is due on her first day of school!

I think most of her family was not too happy and thought she had flipped her lid. I am pretty sure when she announced her news they kinda scowled at her. To lift her spirits a bit I offered to host a baby shower at church on a Saturday afternoon in July. At first she was kinda embarassed and said just a few people and please keep it low key! That would be easy enough. I would budget and save up for the shower.

I just got her guest list and there are at least 75 church moms,family and friends and young daughters. I was kinda shocked. I am not sure about that many people! Thankfully I did reserve a room at church in which to host this event as there would be no way I could do it at home. Thankfully I found a gal at church who is going to help me by preparing the food and bringing it all and cleaning it up for a reasonable...I mean reasonable price. She is doing drinks and cake and a few small finger foods. I am trying to not get bummed out with my friend as I did offer to host the shower for her.
I guess I thought low key meant low numbers of attendees!

I am not doing shower games...just talking, eating and opening gifts.
I think that is OK....the gift opening alone could take awhile.
I guess I better start getting the invitations organized. I bought some $1 packs of pretty notecards at Michaels....so that was a wonderful savings!

I guess being a thrifty person at heart I am fighting an internal battle of how much stuff does a baby need?? And is that practical??? I guess I just better try to not get too caught up in it and just be the host. I will say it does cause me to re-think things when my girls get to be brides and new mom's to be on how showers and such might be handled. I guess I can only try to be a good role model in being practical and thrifty.

I think I will be Ok and all will be well.....maybe I am just a little nervous about hosting such a big event all on my own so to speak. By the way it is a girl!