Thursday, June 18, 2009

Birthday Parties

This weekend we're having a major party on the Playground. Nope, no one is turning 40...yet. It's actually the little ones that are going to celebrate this time.

Five of the six Playkids have birthdays in June and July. Yep, you read that right. For the past several summers in between conferences, vacations, girl scout camps and vacation bible school we've also had 5 birthday parties in about 7 weeks. Yeah, you do the math. Doesn't leave many weekends free does it?

So, this year we decided to be smart about this. Instead of having 5 separate weekends for Playkid birthday parties we're going to have them all on one day. Yep, you read that right. It just makes sense. I mean, all of our kids are friends. Whenever I watch Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants I see our kids. They don't go to the same schools, they don't even see each other on a regular basis but put them into a room together and it's like they've never been apart. I kinda like that. We've all formed very close bonds - these sisters of my heart - and I love the fact that our kids already have those same bonds developing.

But I digress. Perhaps because then I can forget the fact that we have 30 to 40 kids coming to this party. Yep, you read that right. In theory, this idea is brilliant. I'm very worried that in practice the end of the party will find all the adults huddled in a ball twitching and ticking. Luckily, there is plenty to keep the hoodlums - I mean precious children - occupied. And if nothing else, we'll feed them some of Smarty Pant's cake. She's making a pirate ship and a princess tiara out of cake. Her talent never ceases to amaze me! Oh wait, maybe we shouldn't feed them sugar.

Seriously, we're going to have a fantastic party. Have you ever thrown a huge party? Ever had a surprise party? Have a fun/disastrous kid's party story to share?

Instigator

P.S. Remember to send your questions for the Playfriends to Playground Monitor at playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com. Ask us anything about writing, craft, the business, our lives, etc. and we'll answer them the week of conference.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just one party with my family is huge = 7 adults & spouses + 10 grandchildren + 3 great grandchildren....need I say more??? But my family has a really good time and we enjoy each other's company except when those grandkids go at it.
I hope you have a wonderful Thursday.
robertsonreads

M.V.Freeman said...

There are some things I am quite aware of that I have. Glaring flaws that I have come to terms with one of them is a dislike of large parties...add children and I need medication.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not anti-kid, or anything. I think you should be able to bring your kids anywhere. I also know it is normal and healthy for kids to get together to laugh, shout and have a good time. They need to do this.

This is why I usually send my spouse to these parties, and I hide at home.

As I said, I am aware of my flaws.

Have fun! I'll be thinking of you all...;-)

Problem Child said...

Playkid parties are the only kid b-day parties I attend. I don't do well in large groups of small children. DG is the b-day party parent around here. He also handles Brownies, because that would drive me insane.

Everyone think happy thoughts for Saturday!

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

Birthdays and Brownies. No wonder you had to import.

Personally, I'm terrified of large groups of children. Usually its mutual and they stay away. We'll see how it works Saturday.

Playground Monitor said...

*&$%#* internet.

Been there, done that. Backyard parties, skating parties, Chuck E. Cheese parties. McDonalds parties. This too shall pass. When #1 son got in his teens, we decided we'd do a dinner at a restaurant of his choosing. He chose the Japanese place where they toss knives and cook in front of you. It was great! The next year he chose Hooters. And I didn't argue for a minute because I didn't want to make it seem like forbidden fruit. We ate their horrible food and the Hooter girls sang happy birthday to him and gave him hugs. He never asked to go to Hooters again. I learned early on to pick my battles and that wasn't one worth picking.

Y'all have fun.

P.S. Verification word = algiber. Is that the redneck version of algebra? *g*

Jane said...

I've never had a surprise party or a huge one. Most of have been quiet dinners with family and friends.