Imagine having three children in less than three years (no multiples, I'm talking every 13 months or so). Three different sized nappies. A fridge of bottles, parsnip puree, cheese squares and carrot batons. Did you know, BTW, it's nearly impossible to find a good pushchair for three. Our local school thinks it is really funny that as soon as one of our children has vacated their seat in the reception class, another one is sent in her place. Their birthdays are every six weeks. I guess if you mess up planning, you may as well do it royally.
Yes, we have entered party season at the Scott household. We have a big bash every six weeks.The first is done (a Hannah Montana disco party with hot dogs and cupcakes). I don't know what possessed me to invite 30 children. It all went well though, no disasters.
No, my biggest party disaster happened a couple years ago. A similar big bash at a local gym. The kids get free run of the gym for an hour and their is a room already set up to serve sausages and hula hoops. Perfect. Except the teenager in charge never turned up to open up the gym. So at 11 am my husband and I found ourselves alone with 22 five-year-olds. A couple of parents took pity and stayed. There's a field by the gym and we played every game think of. Stuck in the Mud. Tag. Red Rover. The sun came out. This is not so bad I thought. I looked at my watch. Another hour and a half to go.
Finally the parents started to arrive to claim their children. Many of the kids share rides and you never know exactly who is going home with whom. I handed out party bags. Nearly everyone was gone. I was starting the get that after party elation. It's over. I did it. Then I turned around and nearly bumped into a mum, she had car keys in her hands.
Where's Anna?
Not a child in sight except my daughters.
Ummm. Panic. I honestly has no idea. This was not good.
A couple quick calls and it turns out that Anna was already home safe and sound. She thought she was supposed to go home with friends.
Phew.
So do your parties go off without a hitch?
Photo credit: Scribble Taylor
