Tammy Breckenridge came up with the cool, but almost unheard-of, idea of a foaling shower for my mare, Blossom. Tammy had read about someone having a foaling shower in a horse magazine and thought we should do the same. I guess that's what folks without kids do ;-)

It turned out to be quite successful and everyone that came agreed that it was a very cool idea. Just like a "real" baby shower, we had the sign in book, decorations, food and party favors. And my sister, Sheila, got really creative and made me a corsage complete with chocolate carrots (she decided if we tried to put a corsage on Blossom that she might try to eat it!)

The sign in table with party favors (Reese Pieces filled "carrots" with Blossom's photo attached) and my chocolate carrot corsage.

No one in attendance had ever heard of, much less attended(!), a foaling shower. But, all agreed it was great fun.

L to R back row - Elaine Sulser, Tammy Breckenridge, Laura Martin, Peggy Jones, Amy Williams, Amber Powell, Carol Frey, Mary Jane Scarborough, Ellen Martin, Jessica Loggins, Shirley Loggins, Priscilla Boone, Carol Burke.

L to R front row - Tiffany Martin, Weldon Powell, Polly Cleveland, Tyler Scarborough, Courtney Martin. Not pictured : Becky Gaines

And in the very front our guest of honor - Blossom!

Two Mom's -to-be Jessica Loggins and Blossom

And what would a shower be without games.......

The first game we played required all to go outside and get "personal" with Blossom. Tiffany brought her out so that all could see how big she was - some enjoyed grooming her (and looking like they had fought with a white bunny rabbit as she is shedding badly) and some gave her carrots.

Then each person was given a skein of thread and asked to cut a piece the length of her belly. Then each person got to put the string around the largest part of her belly. The one that got the closest was the winner. It seems that Blossom looked REALLY large as most people way overguessed the girth. Becky Gaines was the lucky winner coming very close to the acual size!

Ellen Martin takes her turn but over guesses......Blossom's big but not that big folks!

Amy Williams was the ultimate winner in the adult "pin the tail on the donkey" category.

The poster was put a little too high for the children but they didn't care! Tyler Scarborough puts on the mask while Courtney Martin waits her turn.

They all gave it their best and all won a prize.

Back inside we went for more fun and food.....

The first game was Draw the Foal game. I had printed out photos of all of Blossom's prior foals so everyone could get an idea of what her former babies looked like.

Elaine Sulser and Tiffany Martin (sitting on the couch) were the co-winners with their buckskin pinto filly drawings (hey, we can dream!)

Notice that Blossom was able to join the fun (kinda) through the security camera in her stall - see her on the TV in corner? We've affectionally named it B-TV. I watch it every night as I sleep on the couch waiting for the impending birth!

With the dice game, we went in a circle with each person getting to roll the fuzzy dice. Never in a million years did I think I'd buy a pair of fuzzy dice but I guess you should never say never...... Anyway, if the person rolled a 7 or 11 they got to pick a prize. After all the prizes were taken, the game continued for 5 minutes. During that time, if you rolled a 7 or 11, you got to take away a prize someone else had already won. That's where the fun always comes in.

The party wound down with the opening of gifts. It was amazing that litterally nothing was duplicated. Blossom and I got the neatest things including a foal blanket, leather foal halter (look how small it is!), supplements, new brushes for baby, towels and all kinds of vet supplies and books. There were also a few goodies for me like diet cokes (to help me stay awake!) and malted milk balls.

Thank you so much to everyone that came and shared this special time with Blossom and me! We hope to have the new bundle of joy very soon!