School Girl’s having a birthday party with just a few friends, like she did for the past 2 years. This time I think there will be more kids; of the five that we invited, four actually called and/or emailed and said that, barring illness or 3′ of snow, they would be there. I ordered the cake last week, and we’re having pizza for dinner as well. School Girl actually came up with a couple of themed games herself, which was pretty great. She even offered to help me put them together tomorrow after school. (Tonight she needs to get moving on her presentation – you don’t want to know.) I think we’re watching a concert video somewhere in there, which should all easily fit in two hours or so.

I’m getting a little freaked out about our visit this weekend. We usually have a visit around School Girl’s birthday, but never this close to the actual date. (At one point I had thought about canceling the party all together and just going down to visit for a couple of days, but that was voted down.) There is some question as to whether everybody who has said they’ll be there will show up. I’m hoping they will, for School Girl’s sake, but I don’t count on other people anymore. I have no control over anyone but myself (and an increasingly limited control over School Girl). The only thing I can hope for is that School Girl has a fun time with her family.

By the way, Heather at Production, Not Reproduction has put up another OAB Roundtable question that might fit in with this. I can’t bring myself to write about that this round. There are a lot of other, better writers over there that will be writing; go over and have a look.

Then there was Friday.

School Girl’s best friend had her 8th birthday party Friday and Saturday. Yes, it was a sleepover. It was a really long sleepover, involving a trip to our local mall, a gigantic mountain of candy at home, and just the thrill for Best Friend’s mother of having 7 wound-up 7-year-olds desperately trying not to sleep.

School Girl said she had a pretty good time. We did get a phone call around 10 or so; she was having a hard time dealing with all the noise, which has gotten better over time but something that’s always been a problem. Evil Dad and I talked her into trying again. By the time we checked in on her in half an hour, things were going much better.

I should say that we’re not into gigundous parties involving everyone in the class, magicians, rented bouncy castles, or epic voyages. We’ve got a small house, and I’ve always let School Girl choose who she’d like to invite. Up to about 6 people. So far, we’ve had parties with 8 (3 invitees and Best Friend’s family) and parties with 5. Last year’s party wasn’t too bad. The kids had a game of balloon soccer going in the living room, we made dry-ice lemonade to go with the vegan cupcakes, and they got to watch Scooby-Doo. Everybody apparently had a good time. School Girl had a good time too, which was the whole point of the afternoon.

I’m trying to talk School Girl into a weekend trip this year, maybe even down to the Springs, for her birthday. Let’s see how far I get with that one, shall we?

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…

School Girl has been to two birthday parties so far, and they’ve been on opposite ends of the spectrum. Party #1 was kids only and pretty kid-centric, complete with homemade games, Scooby-Doo, and cupcakes. Party #2 was slightly more involved; there were a lot of crafts. A lot of crafts. The only other party she’s been to was that of a family member; an all-day affair, complete with BBQ and fireworks. Since this party could have the possibility of 6+” of snow on the ground, that’s not going to happen. Have I mentioned yet that I will be doing this on my own? Even though somebody else is going to be home that day?

I’m thinking that since her birthday is during the week, and we already have semi-firm plans with birthfamily members for the weekend before, it’ll be a few of her classroom buddies, with a few games and, um, cooking. The cooking will be based on something in one of her presents. Shhhh…