The Slumber Party

The Party Planners

Surprise!

Silly bedtime faces

This is the best party I've ever been to, or had given for me!

You know, it's really gratifying to have 4 daughters who give to each other. Kathryn, who is 12, got the idea to throw a surprise slumber party for Emily who is turning 9 next week. She enlisted the help of her older sister, Rebekah, 14, and together they bought party favors and schemed in secret. The idea was to throw this party all by themselves, and not involve me. I always overspend myself, and they wanted to save me from doing so again. How sweet!

So today was the big day! The final preparations were in place, and all they had to do was watch the clock, and wait for me to take the 2 youngest girls (wholy unsuspecting) with me on some "errands." Those errands would include renting a movie for the party which I was to cleverly disguise as renting a movie for my husband and I to enjoy on this Friday evening. I had some unexpected help in this distraction through a card from my in-laws to the birthday girl. Enclosed was a check, and it provided quite a distraction indeed. I took the two little ones by way of the bank, to Big Lots, where the birthday money was worried over and seriously considered until a resolution was finally reached on how it should be spent! Emily proudly carried a rather large bag to the car, and could hardly wait to open its contents. There was no arguing when I suggested they wait in the car while I ran in to the movie rental place to grab that movie I wanted. I had to do some quick thinking when they asked what I rented upon my return to the car, and I ended up with a bald-faced LIE.

They didn't mind later when all was revealed, that a much waited for movie had not just been rented, but purchased! There were excited screams then for sure! Emily never suspected a thing when we approached the door of our home, and upon opening it were greeted with shrill and excited shouts of "SURPRISE! Happy Birthday!" There, in the Great Room were her two friends, her two older sisters, and two of their friends who were in on the secret and the party. Each guest was to have a personal attendant. They had mini pizzas (made to order by their personal attendants!), candy, juice, goldfish crackers, and chips. Sound healthy? No way! This is a REAL party!

Then they were given their own basket of favors which also included the first clue for the scavenger hunt. Hidden all over the house and the yard were colored ballons with more clues hidden inside them. Each balloon was popped to reveal the next clue. At the end of the hunt, the little girls were rewarded with fruit scented play dough.

On to the next game; "Pass the Parcel," inspired by a wonderful claymation video we have called "Mouse House." It's a British production, so the mice have a wonderful accent. The 6-minute piece was watched by all the party before playing the game themselves. We called it "Pahss the Pahcell," like they did in the video clip. The Barlow Girls provided our music, and it's like musical chairs, only the "pahcell" is passed until the music stops. Whoever is holding it when the music stops gets to open and keep it!

Next Emily opened her gifts. Then we sang Happy Birthday and she blew out the candles on her cake. They then snuggled into P.J.s before putting on the movie. We made a family favorite, sugar popcorn, and colored it purple in honor of the celebration. After the movie, they tried to wind it down to get to sleep. Teeth were brushed and sleeping bags rolled out. Glow sticks were handed out, and "The Pond" stories were played. All in all, they seemed to have a smashing time!

What a birthday party. We will also celebrate with family on her actual birthday. I am planning to make Mexican food as per her request. We will have my brother and his family (if they don't go into labor with their third son before then). We usually just spend some time together. Sometimes we go to Chuck E. Cheese or something, but I think this party tops all that have gone before for the birthday girl.

Cyndi's Journal

I feel pretty good tonight. I am excited about the surprise party my older daughters are throwing for my younger daughters tomorrow.

They have planned and planned. They've invited the guests, and received acceptance calls. Not only are my 8 and 6 yodds to be surprised with a party (in honor of the 8yodd turning 9) including two overnight guests, but there will be personal attendants: both the older daughters, and two of their friends, one for each of the participants in the celebration.

All this was planned by my 12 and 14 yodds. I am so proud of them! I can't wait to see how it all turns out. I can't help but feel I have inadvertantly inspired this gift of a party. After all, the two older girls have spent nearly $35.00 of hard-earned dollars on supplies--especially party favors. I am providing food: mini pizzas, and monkey bread for breakfast. Also, I have bought the supplies for a cake they will bake tomorrow. They are so excited! They have never done anything like this before! They have planned make-overs, the fixing of the pizzas, the games, the prizes, the party favors, the movie, the decorations, the whole nine yards! They are experiencing the wonder of giving. It's fun to watch them, and hard not to get too involved. Still, this needs to be their gift.

It's so fun to watch!