Preschool Party

I am not one for planning parties for the kids. I love my kids, but I don't particularly enjoy inviting lots of other small children over to get sugared up while I am responsible for them until their parents return. We did a birthday "activity" this year to avoid a party and I thought I was free and clear until next year. However, I failed to plan for Ada and her ways. What started out as a special playdate with one friend from preschool somehow morphed into an entire party with games and special handmade decorations and prizes and not one but 3 friends from preschool. (Kevin is entirely culpable in this party coup and I hold him more than partially responsible for my morning being spent with four 5 year old girls).

In a not-so-silent rebellion, I left the planning mainly to Kevin and Ada. Ada diligently made decorations and used her own money to buy prizes for the games. Kevin helped her to plan games and even colored a huge flower for "pin the petal on the flower." I made cupcakes and a sugary drink (since 5 year old girls are low on energy).

The morning of the party arrived and even a party scrooge like me couldn't help but be moved by Ada's excitement, Kevin's work on the flower, and Ada's real desire to see her friends enjoy themselves at her party.

Any sentiment I felt faded quickly as I began the first game and every girl started screaming excitedly at a decibel I believe is used to torture prisoners of war. Oliver reacted with a fight or flight response and clung to me in sheer terror while begging for his blanket to be pulled over his head. Thankfully the games didn't last too long and it is physically impossible to keep making whatever screeching noise the girls were making for longer than 30 minutes (either that or God just took mercy on me and quieted them down).

In the end Ada deemed the party a success, Oliver came out from under his blanket and does not seem to have developed PTSD, and I felt like a really good mom--one who will now be on alert for any mention of another party.

 

Ada trying out her hula hoop prize (even the party planner gets a prize for winning limbo) in front of her flower game.

Ada organizing her decorations at a much earlier hour in the morning than she is usually awake.

 

Kevin diligently coloring the flower petals. Proof that he is a really great dad--and also proof that he would do just about anything for his girl.

 

I don't think I need to explain why we have no pictures of the actual party. Just imagine yourself standing in the middle of a group of screaming girls with a frightened toddler clinging to you...

 

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