Well, the long-postponed birthday party has come and gone. Sadly, not everybody who was invited could make it (and we only invited about 1/3 of School Girl’s class) last weekend, but we did have 5 kids show up.

We got through the ring-toss game, the fizzy lemonade/CO2 demonstration, cupcakes (apparently I shouldn’t have bothered with icing them), and watching an old Scooby-Doo TV show. There were also two exciting rounds of balloon football in the living room (no breakables in the living room = WIN) and at least one round of “dancing on the kitchen table” when I was seeing one of the party guests/parents out. W00t.

School Girl got craft items for presents this year, which she loved and I really appreciate. The spirograph was a huge hit, and we’re saving the scrapbook for spring break when she’ll have some time to plan what she wants to do and include in there. She also got a Martian Matter set from Evil Dad and I – also a huge, huge hit; we’re anxiously looking around for refill goop to make more aliens.

We discovered that dry ice-carbonated drinks make you so cold that your face freezes, your feet won’t move, and you become an actual statue. I had no idea. But it’s true! We found out Friday afternoon! 1st graders make some impressive scientists, let me tell you (seriously, they do. I was impressed by some of the other things they said and asked about dry ice and drinks).

So, School Girl and her friends had a great time. Nobody lost any appendages. Nobody left in tears. And School Girl and I each had a hot bath after it was all over. A successful afternoon, all in all.

And she wants to do it again next year. Maybe I could talk her into something easier, like a trip to Mexico…