Birthday Party

Wow - 10 days since my last post. We're still around. I'm still here. I'm just tired. Every time I think that we (meaning me and the kids) have adjusted to our new schedule, I'm reminded in so many tangible ways that I'm wrong!! Brandon's birthday was yet another reminder of how unprepared I've been lately.

Over the summer the local bowling alley ran a $2.00 per game special if you got there before 5 pm. We went one day at 4:45 and the whole family did two games. Our total bill, including shoes, was $22.00, I think. It was cheap. It was fun. The kids had a blast all through game one, and about halfway through game two. It was a fun thing we did as a family. On the way home Brandon announced that he wanted to have his birthday party there - well, either the bowling alley or the roller skating rink. The bowling alley was closer, and Caitlin doesn't cry at the music like she does at the roller rink.

So, off we go.....

Even thought it was at the bowling alley, I still had to prepare a few things. Goody bags and cupcakes were on the agenda. I'm a little tired of goody bags. They may go out the door in the future. I just can't see the point! But I did them this time for posterity, complete with mini-bubbles and glow sticks! Then there were the cupcakes! I had forgotten until the evening before that I was in charge of bringing cake. It was easy to forget, as the general rule at the bowling alley is no outside food allowed, except cake during birthday parties. So, due to a lot of frozen butter and short supply of sugar, I was at Safeway this morning buying cupcakes. I left with 36 of them. Yes, you read that right. 36. We only had 11 kids there! I got in my car and started to back out of the parking space before realizing how unnecessary those numbers were and returned a dozen cupcakes! Luckily the store took them back! Probably because only 5 minutes had passed since I purchased them.

Other things, besides the cupcakes, that I seemed unprepared for:
The bowling alley
While I did pay them to set up a party and provide us with food and fun, they assumed I was in charge and did nothing until I asked. I'm not use to this. No instructions. No "what is expected of the kids". No bowling guidelines. And the food was late (which was hard, since that was suppose to be the first order of business)! We did manage to keep the kids entertained by opening gifts. Little kids are almost as excited to give gifts as to receive them! It was cute.
The arcade
No, I did not know there were arcade games there. I would have brought quarters. Especially in light of the late food (see above).
Shoelaces
We had reservations about a couple of the kids that Brandon wanted to invite. The mere thought of those particular kids with bowling balls brought fear to our hearts. But never once did the horrific thought of shoelaces enter my mind! And how most kids Brandon's age have always worn velcro shoes and don't know how to tie shoelaces anymore! 20 shoes to tie. It took a while.
Shoes
No, I don't know all the sizes. Help! And returning them was another thing to keep in mind. Only one pair of shoes left the alley, which the parents returned later in the day.

In as much as I complain, we had a fun time. Brandon was so excited and happy he could hardly contain himself. Brian and I are grateful for the parents that stayed, since many kids needed a little help with aiming, bowling technique, and being told not to jump off the benches. The pizza was better than at most places, and we only left with 4 cupcakes!

And Brandon had his happy birthday party, which is what it was all about!