Post-party MVP: the parents

Six girls at Saturday's party, and not one named Samantha! In spite of that anomaly, everybody had a very good time.

February birthdays can never be held outdoors, because it's almost always threatening to rain in February. The treasure hunt I devised for the guests was supposed to take them outside for certain clues, but alas! It was storming out. When each team got to the outdoors part of their search, I stood at the front door and handed out the clues they would have traveled down the street to find. However, I did place each team's treasure in each of our cars. Screaming and running, the girls ran out to the driveway and soon reappeared with their treasure. Honestly, it was like, ten seconds in the rain per team! Stop looking at me like that!

Only five girls stayed the night. Everybody was quiet enough that those who wanted to sleep had no trouble, and those who wanted to stay awake played cards or video games to their hearts' content. Some girls were picked up early Sunday morning; others left later. I think the last girl went home at 8:30 p.m., after the Super Bowl. That sort of thing happens around here, especially with an only child in this house - we acquire girls from people, and give them back at odd times.

I realized once again that BB's and my stress over our kid's parties is disproportionate to the amount of thought expended by any of the party guests. Here's what Bunny's girlfriends expect of BB and me, the parents: 1) that we will be pleasant and helpful, and mildly funny, but will keep lame jokes to an absolute minimum; 2) that we will ply them with cake, pizza, a wide selection of sodas, and party gifts; 3) that we will stay out from underfoot while they watch movies, chat, giggle (oy, how they giggle), and show each other recent purchases from Claire's. On some level they also want a safe home that's free from overt dangers such as rabid squirrels or electrical fires. But that's it. Their needs are simple compared to what we mentally put ourselves through ahead of time.

Comments

[Mahala]

I wish we could still have slumber parties. Wait.. they probably do have them for 40 yr olds, but I bet they call them something else.

['mouse]

Your analysis of the needs is perfectly on. Even in the fancy neighborhood I've moved to where the kids often think they need to impress each other with stuff, my house where we aren't into stuff but where the parents appear scarce (and often are scarce) is perfectly acceptable and, I expect, will be the choice of the summer crowd. [Must get a lock for the liquor cabinet before then.]

[Anthony]

You know you're in trouble when you go to an "adult slumber party" and when you throw your keys in the fishbowl one of the fish picks up the keys and winks at you...
And it's a fish on the wrong team...

[pam]

'mouse, good advice on the liquor cabinet. :-)

[bunny]

One day, Mom, one far away day, you will learn the secrets...