Lessons From a Birthday Party

I’ve been a mom for 14 years know, and am proof that you are always still learning something new.  Some things I learned at my son’s birthday party:

1. Kids from age 8 to 18 can all have a great time together, those with special needs and those without, if you just have the right activity
2. That right activity is an inflatable waterslide.  Even a certain 47-year old one went on it while she was getting the party ready….
3. Parties can be best when they are small.  One of the reason the waterslide was so much fun was that my son wisely made the decision of “I’m only inviting a few people, that way we aren’t all just standing in line.”
4. Don’t underestimate the healthy food.  We had chips, cookies, pizza, and cupcakes.  We have leftovers of all of those.  However, the entire LARGE bowl of cut fruit was literally gone in 10 minutes.  Ditto with the drinks.  We have plenty of sweet iced tea, soda, and adult beverages remaining.  The water and the juice boxes were, however, quite popular.
5. My son has a special “in” with God.  A few weeks ago he prayed it wouldn’t rain at his last day of baseball camp, and it rained everywhere in our area but where the camp was.  Yesterday morning, the day of his outdoor party, we were predicted to have rain all day.  He stood outside and prayed it would not.  We had sun all day, though we had a deluge an hour after everyone left.  I may need to start renting him out for important outdoor occasions.
6. One of the best gifts for a teenager can be “wrapped” in an envelope.  Cash and gift cards are extremely appreciated by a teen.
7. The parents of his friends must know my disdain for certain places to shop.  Several Target cards, and not a one from Walmart!
8. Your son probably knows your fondness for certain stores.  He asked if I’d like to make an exchange with him, the Target cards for cash.
9. It works out just fine to have a mix of adults that don’t know each other, especially if the thing they have in common is their kids.
10. All the work (and money!) is worth it when your kid thanks you later approximately 27 times, and says “I love you” almost as many.

And maybe most importantly, I’ve learned that being a mom just gets greater the older your child gets.  That’s why they have wine.  I’ve got a few extra bottles laying around now…