Sunday, December 7, 2008

I'm Pretty Sure....

I told myself last year, "No more sleepovers." As it was in full swing last night I remember those words going through my head. I think I need to write it down and put it on the refrigerator right next to the emergency numbers. Or maybe just get a permanent marker and write it on my arm. "No more sleepovers." It's so easy. And if somehow I didn't notice it was on the fridge, or the marker finally got washed off my arm, then at least I hope I have the common sense to not have 14 girls. Cause really, let's just call a spade a spade, that's just stupid. What the hell was I thinking? Well, I'll tell you. I tried to make it smaller, I really did. I actually limited it to 10 (which is still to many) but that was how many invitations were in the pack. I thought, "It's a lot, but I know all these girls. Nothing I can't handle." The thing is Saige has the car salesman gene. She just keeps pushing and pushing me for more girls. She has a reason for each one of them. Somehow we can't not invite whoever if so and so is coming. She just wore me down. I think when all was said and done she had invited 18 girls but thank God above some couldn't come.

So I was left with 14 screaming girls. Oh, and Chase and his buddy Ethan. Both around the same age as the girls so they wanted to hang out with them. Do you know what that lead to? "Moooooommmmmmmm!!!!!!!! Make Chase leave!!!! He's ruining my party!!!!" So that was a fun part too. Then Chase actually said to me, "Why can't we go down there with the girls?" I said, "It's her party Chase, she wants it to be just girls." You know what he said? "Yeah Mom, but you're the boss. You can make her." As if!! Seriously, these children have all the answers. I think I gave him some sort of exasperated answer and he said, "Why are you taking it out on me?" Folks, it would have taken more than boxed wine last night, if I wasn't responsible for all those kids, it would have been a vodka night three ways 'til Tuesday.

So basically, I did my part. I got the food out. Played the game they wanted to play, did the cake and then I disappeared upstairs. It was like gang mentality. At one point I walked down for something and they had actually thrown popcorn and pretzels all over the floor. All. Over. The. Floor. Really? Are you teenage boys? As I walked up the stairs I could hear them asking Saige to go get the school directory, I turned around to tell them, "No prank phone calls." and there were some going out in the back yard. "No outside." I said. Oh my God.

This was definitely an "Inmates running the asylum." kind of night. So please, those of you who know and love me. Set me straight next year. Remind me that I have thrown 21 birthday parties for these kids over the years. I have done my time. Let's take them for a nice long jog with Mommy for your birthday, how 'bout that? That'd be fun. Right?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Next year drop Saige and 2-3 (that's 2 or 3, not 23) of her closetst friends off at Oriental Pearl for lunch. After, they can walk around the corner to have their nails done. Call when they are finished. Independent girls day out. They will love it; you will love it. (Benefit - since it's not really a big party, Saige won't feel guilty not inviting some friends.) Of course if they don't like chinese, you could take them to Hooters - just a thought.

Meredith said...

Tea and crumpets with Grandma? Just an idea.
Love, Mom

Anonymous said...

How about arming them with a fistful o' dollar bills, yo, and send them down to the local Chippendales. Just sayin'....
Jen

Amy said...

Kathy, That is a great idea! I am counting on you to remind me! And instead of Hooters, maybe like Jen (below) said, Chippendales. You could be a chaperone if you want. :)
Mom, Splendid idea. They'll be there.
Jen- Finger to nose baby. You're coming too....

Sue Jacquette said...

Some of my best memories from middle school were of sleepovers and I remember the parents' faces as if it were yesterday. They looked much like I'm sure yours did.

Anonymous said...

When I found out I was pregnant with girls both times I thought about the future spa visits, shopping, hair doing, and sleep overs..."think of all the fun we'll have!" I have come to HATE sleepovers. You're guaranteed to migraine-inducing screeching and giggling, NO sleep whatsoever, and 3 days worth of housework to get things back in order when all is said and done. And like you said--you have to be sober too! No thank you.

I have come to really appreciate having the birthday parties somewhere OTHER than my house. So, when my kids are all, "can I have my party at_________?" I'm like,"YES!" before they can even get the words out of their mouths!

I'll cut & paste this post & remind you next year--what are friends for!

Rachel said...

Um, yeah, that doesn't sound fun at all. I'm sorry that I couldn't make it up there. Whoopsy. I will be the first to remind yu next year that it isn't a good idea. One of my favorite birthday parties is the movies. Drop your kid off at the theatre, hot dog, cake, movie, and ba bye. Simple, simple, simple. No sleepovers. that's like 18 hrs. of full time work. There's a good reason that 18 hr. shifts are pretty much unheard of unless your being paid extremely well. At least it's over now.

Lula! said...

Oh, how I look forward to this. Yeesh.

But still, she made memories...she'll regale you with stories from this night when she's 25 and you'll both look back and laugh. I hope. I pray.

p.s. They totally made prank phone calls...remind me to tell you some of my most favorite pranking names. They're too dirty to list here. Awwww, yeah!

Simple Answer said...

In 11 years with 2 girls I've never had the guts to do the all out sleepover. You deserve a medal. Shaped like a bottle of Vodka. Cranberry flavored for the season, of course!

Meredith said...

oh my....wwwaaayyyy too many girls for a sleepover. I'm surprised there wasn't some good old fashioned meal girl drama to go along with the food on the floor! I made this same mistake when Hayden turned 6. I think we had maybe 10 girls but I have to tell you...I learned that lesson and I will NEVER do it again!

Glad you survived...thinking vodka might have been a good idea.