How Do You Say "Surprise" in Japanese?

Indeed.  How do you say 'surprise' in Japanese?  I'm not quite sure. And maybe I don't know the exact word for surprise here, but I certainly know how it looks, sounds, and feels. I got a crash course Friday night.

It is the sound of a sliding door I opened at a community center where I had gone with a friend to 'pick up her boys from daycare' before 'going to their home for dinner'. It is the delighted squeals of over 30 kindergartners, waving pompons and shouting our names and rushing to greet Patrick and Evelyn with hugs and cheers. It is the swelling of my heart at the thoughtfulness of having one last chance to see our dear kindergarten friends before we return to the U.S. 

The scheming party planners take center
stage to welcome everyone to the party.
What a great reunion!
Nearly all of the kindergartners
and their mothers were able to attend.

Yes, it was a surprise alright, and as soon as I learn the Japanese word for surprise, I might as well learn the words for 'overcome' and 'humbled'. I could barely take it all in! Even two days later, I am still learning the 'who' behind the 'what'. So many special touches! There were speeches, presentations, games, a performance by the children, a farewell party CD soundtrack, flowers, gifts, and masterful hand-crafted decorations and origami on the walls and at each table where we feasted on delicious catered bentos. The layers of thoughtfulness had me in tears throughout the entire evening, it seemed. Unbelievable! It was incredibly special - and truly a night I will never forget.

What's a party without fun and games? :-)

We stayed until they kicked us out (literally!) and a few of our families walked home in the warmth of the spring night. The kids were exhausted, but the adults were riding the joyful wave of the evening, each of us recalling its memorable events. With these beautiful memories tucked happily into my heart, I now have a bit of a problem...how in the world do you say thank you?

Warm words from Patrick's principal and his teacher.

Oh my goodness, the kids were wild with excitement.
It was fabulous!

Earlier in the day......

This is a picture I took during a play date earlier in the day with a friend. We had a wonderful time having lunch and wandering the grounds of a beautiful park nearby. Here she is helping Evelyn spot carp and turtles - much to Evelyn's delight!

BUT!!!

Shortly after I said goodbye to this sweet friend, I received a text from Chris telling me he had to work late and would be unable to make the 'dinner party'. What?!  Oh no! What was I to tell the hostess who was surely - at that very moment - industriously making preparations for dinner that night?! I was so rattled I took the wrong train home and barely made it in time to greet Patrick after school! As the evening unfolded, it became clear that Chris had been part of the ruse from the very beginning. What a crazy afternoon! Let's just say that reading the afternoon's exchange of text messages provided some hilarious entertainment at the end of the party!