When I imagined being a parent, I expected to love party planning. It turns out that I stress out about having people over and planning fun games for a pack of children. Fortunately, Greg and Micah planned Micah's 9th birthday party, with several fun games that young boys would enjoy. Micah and I made the invitations and got them sent out. Everything was set up with little work and little stress.The one problem we didn't anticipate was that it memorial day weekend and we live in Europe, where most American take off to Italy, France or the Netherlands when school and work are out. Fast forwarding to the end of this story, everyone chose to travel. No one came, even those who said they could.
It turned out to be one of those hard life lessons. Greg and I quickly discussed plans A/B/C, to redeem the day. We debated calling "back-up" friends, gathering German kids from the neighborhood, and making a trip to the store for a new DS game for a distraction. We decided to keep it low key and it turned into a family party with all the party games and treat bags to ourselves! Micah got to beat-up the pinata all by himself, bombard his parents with water balloons and there was plenty of treats for all! We played a couple of more party games, had a family movie night, ate cake for dinner and ended the day at the park.
Micah did go to bed with still a sting of sadness. We chatted for a bit to help relieve some of the disappointment. I assured him that he would feel better in the morning. Also, that his friends would rather have spent their weekend with him, than in Paris or Rome. We are going to line-up a few play dates before we leave and will probably deliver some of the treat bags.
Of course, I feel pretty guilty about dropping the ball. With hindsight, I realize I could have been more aggressive in pursuing hard "yeses." Part of the problem was I don't know the parents of most of the kids we invited and had no phone numbers and or any contact information. We invited kids from School and no one from church, where most of my friends are. I need to get myself out there more and get to know the parents of Micah's school friends. Ugghhh.....
4 comments:
Aw man, too bad all the kids left, but the party looks so fun! And a pinata--what great parents! I don't know why people are so bad at RSVPing, and then sticking to that. Blah.
OH that is disappointing. Poor guy. Ethan just had a birthday party and when he was handing out invites, one boy said "no thanks" and pushed it away. I think it broke his little heart! But he still had some people come. So that is sad. it looks like you still saved the day!
this reminds me of Em's b-day party right after, like mere days after, baby Drew was born.
i had an emergency c-section and was bed ridden with a spinal head ache to top it off! the morning of Em's party, I realized I only had a couple, maybe a few firm commitments. I suddenly panicked and was in tears that kids might not show up for her (I of course wasn't going to be there either)! we lucked out 'cause people were in town, and even though some weren't planning on coming, they still made it last minute! here's the thing, if it wasn't for Dr. Drew and my mom, the whole thing would have flopped. There is just no way I could have pulled anything off. So, don't be too hard on yourself! It's true what they say, "It takes a village." and your village is here in the states, in Washington. You will make it up to him there. He'll have a better experience, and you'll have your village to help!
YOU ARE A GOOD MOM. Nicely done - you totally saved the day. For real, I am so not a party game fan, just watching you all do party games made me so proud of you. It's lame when stuff works out that way but like you said - a life lesson. Another birthday next year :)
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