Aye Papasitos!

Today was Eileen's birthday and we went to our favorite Mexican eatery, Papasitos. All the gals and guys from our department were there, teachers, administrators, tutors, and spouses. It is great working with people who are your friends outside of work (as long as everyone is happy).

We hadn't planned it, but 4 of us all dressed in the same color, royal blue! Carla, Terri C., Me, and Terri W. all are looking great!

Eileen didn't know we were all going to be there. So when she came into the restaurant we all put menus up next to our faces to fake the 'surprise' of the occasion. We had a great time and had some cool drinks! Me and Terri liked these pina coladas especially.

Eloa and Genine are two of the coolest young people I know. They graduated a few years ago from our HS and our AVID program and are tutoring for us while they attend university. They are two of the most gifted and caring tutors I know. They are great with the math and science that I am not! They master minded the whole afternoon and made sure that Eileen got to the restaurant unsuspecting. Kudos on a job well done!

Denise and Carla are looking good and having fun across the table from me. Carla is going to Paris next week and I am green with envy. Hopefully she takes a lot of cool pictures and cool souvenirs for us all.

So it was finally time to open presents. Me, Denise, and Terri pitched in and got Eileen a bag and wallet from Vera Bradley. It is not exactly my cup of tea, but it is cute stuff and she was super excited about it. After we opened presents, we made Eileen dress up in a sombrero while we sang to her. This is a pic of the dessert that 12 people shared, with left overs to boot! How sinful.

The sombrero was not exactly something that Eileen would have done if it had not been for us forcing her to do it, but alas, that is what birthdays are for--doing things we wouldn't otherwise do. Wishing you the best year ever...Mel