This is an amplified Thanksliving post. If you’ve been around a while, you know that in another life, I’d like to be a kids’ party planner. LG’s parties, while not huge, are known for being the funnest. We’ve done the Mall Scavenger Hunt, The Mystery, and the wild sleepover. Before I started blogging, my favorite was the Pink Pony Pretend Pajama Party. I like everything about kids’ parties — the planning, the shopping, the decorating, the execution (that almost happened for real at the sleepover), even the, well, not so much the clean-up. But everything else.
This year, with WTF, I was very concerned that LG’s partying days as we knew them were over. In middle school, parties do seem to be getting smaller, so that gave me a break. But I couldn’t imagine how I’d do even a small get-together. Google to the rescue! I searched “12-year-old birthday party,” and found that someone had taken her daughter and friends to a hotel with an indoor pool. Instant party! I found a hotel with a pool and hot tub, just 15 minutes away. It so happened that said hotel was directly across from Medieval Times. And that is how I got my ducks in a row
and Jif and I accompanied LG and three friends to Medieval Times for what passed for dinner and a show, then to the hotel, where swimming, tubbing, gaming and a movie-on-demand were the prerequisites to the real party, which involved Truth or Dare and giggling until 3 a.m. Next morning, continental breakfast (including make- your-own waffles) was provided. The party was pronounced AWESOME. And all I had to do was make a couple of phone calls and hang out. And take a few pictures.
Oh, and in case you’re considering trying this at home (I mean, at a hotel near your home), I have two words for you: ADJOINING ROOMS. This is what made it possible, for me. I’m extraordinarily safety-conscious and arguably overprotective. I wouldn’t have had 11- and 12-year-olds in a room that we couldn’t get to immediately if needed. Their room connected with mine and Jif’s, so there was privacy for both groups, yet we could wander back and forth, too.
Indeed, Jif and I figured prominently in Truth or Dare, because the dares often consisted of doing something “in front of LG’s parents!” While we watched TV, tween girls would parade into our room on a dare, singing “I’m a Little Teapot,” or dancing to Soulja Boy. Speaking of which, I dare you to go learn the dance, video yourself and post it. You would if you loved me.
What Was I Thinking? 
Oh, and in case you’d like to do this, but cost seems too high, I would just say, the Medieval Times part of the evening was definitely not necessary. They liked it, but wouldn’t have missed it. As for the rest, a AAA discount helped, and when I did the comparison, for party food, decorations, take-home gifts, etc., PLUS the fact that a hotel party is for a lot fewer kids than a home party or typical party-venue party, the cost was comparable to what we would have done at home. The real thrill for the kids was pretending to be grown up and staying in their own hotel room.
That would be such a fun party for tweens!
Although, you know, I always thought it was Soldier Boy. Shows you how cool I am. (And for that reason, along with the fact that I kind of dance like Big Bird might, I can’t promise anything on the video.)
I’m so glad y’all had fun! Happy Birthday to LG!!!
That’s it. You’re hired! You are hearby retained and instructed to plan Young Lady Eclectic’s 15th birthday party in exactly 11 months from today.
Please?
I suck at everything even remotely related to throwing parties, except for really little kid parties, because they don’t care about any of the details as long as there’s lots of candy. And even I can buy candy.
Now then, as to the dance video: um….. no. I love you, Susan Lyn, but I do not love you THAT much. I would give you a kidney, bone marrow if you needed it, I’d even clean your lavatory with a toothbrush every week for the next 10 years. But I do NOT love you enough to learn that dance and perform it on camera. So, now you know.
😉
*didn’t notice any mention of ear plugs for attending adults*
I do love you, Susie. But instead of learning the dance, how ’bout if I just flash my t!ts at you, instead. Ready?
(@) (@)
Hee! Was it good for you?
Love. Hugs. Prayers.
I would do the dance for you but I do not have an empty pool to perfomr in.
Also Ladybug has large @reola.
ern, the best thing about that dance is how funny most people look trying to do it. I’m not going to say especially adult white people. You should give it a try.
shari, I’ll be thinking about your girl’s partay. You won’t dance? FINE. Send me an organ, then.
mrB, parental earplugs would kinda undo the safety-first thing.
ladybug, great, as always 😉
william, an empty bathtub will do nicely. As for the rest, you’ll have to take that up with LadyBug. I try not to get involved in matters areolar. I have enough problems.
You don’t wanna see Snuffleupagus dancing to Soldier Boy. Trust me on this one. So how ’bout this:
I’m a big teapot
Tall and stout…
No one around here wants to party anymore (silly introvert teenagers) with the exception of Snake Master, who will be turning a young 9 years old in July. Got any great ideas for a Steve Irwin, Jeff Corwin, Snake Master-style party?
You can filter out the high frequencies of screeches and giggles.
First: Happy birthday, LG!
Second: Eclectic, will you come and clean my bathroom every week for ten years? You don’t have to use a toothbrush–a regular brush and/or sponge will be fine.
I don’t think I’ll be making a video, but the dance routine brought me back to my high school cheerleading days. I’m sure that’s not what Soulja Boy is going for though, know whuh ahm sayin’?
I was kind of thinking I’m not really qualified to do that dance, on a lot of counts. First of all, I couldn’t understand the instructor half the time, ynawwhymsayn? Second of all, I don’t have any clothing big enough to disguise my bouncy body parts the way they do.
But mostly I’m just chicken. (And no, that does NOT mean I will do the chicken dance for you instead.)
Haha! It makes me laugh that Sharkey and I were making simultaneous comments on Soulja Boy’s diction. 😀
Oh! What a neat idea! I’ll have to remember that!
Happy Late Birthday, LG!
Dance? Oh, I don’t think you want to see that… my kids make me stop dancing whenever I start… usually as I’m making dinner. I give “Shake and Bake” a whole new meaning…
Happy Birthday, LG! Susie, you do give the best kids’ parties. It would be great if you could do that for a living.
That dance is intricate enough without having to get past the instructor’s enunciation. Do I get points if I get Katy to dance it while I video her?
You are still one rockin’ mama. I never attended a party as a young un’ that sounds that cool. I do remember playing truth and dare and being dared to go put my bra in the mailbox however. Happy birthday, not so little girl!
Coolest mom ever. Happy birthday to LG!
BFE could make her action figures learn Soulja Boy…
You’re too cool :-). Loads of love!
Opera Gal, great idea! I’ll call her.
Happy Birthday to LG! A friend of my daughters did the hotel party last year, and from what I heard it was a hit. They spent most of the evening carting around in the luggage trolleys.
oh wow, what a great idea for a party! Happy birthday to LG.
kc, I’ve never done the little boy thing. If you haven’t been there already, try familyfun.com magazine
mrB, y’all have more sophisticated earplugs than I have!
shawkey and karen, that video amuses me greatly. First, that such language would be used in an “instructional video.” Know’msayin’? Uh . . . nope. I don’t really know what you are saying. I find it interesting that the video instructor seems to drop most final consonants. Wa me cra dah = Watch me crank dat. Er, that. But then if you listen to the actual song, The Soulja boy hisdamnself does the same thing. Coincidence? I think too much about such!
btw, the lyrics to the song are quite vulgar. And usually, I don’t let LG download vulgar/profane, etc., lyrics. I’m a real mean mom like that. But I must say, even I must concede that I think it’s near impossible for her to decipher these lyrics, so that one’s on her iPod.
ck, but we’re NICER than your kids. If you posted a video of you crankin’ dat, no one here would make you stop. I promise.
You’re not late for LG’s bday. We were early. The actual day is Friday 🙂
squirl, POINTS? Are you kidding me? If you could get Katy to dance that, and you video her, you’d get . . . A MAJOR AWARD!
umutha, hmmm. Wonder what would happen if I put my bra in the mailbox. Doesn’t seem as cute with a 48-year-old does it?
kalki, check’s in the mail 😉
operagal, only if she demonstrates for them.
chchchchia, I have my moments. 😉
squirl, DOH! I was all ready to see your video!
jana, how did we not think of that? That’s going on the list for next year. Luggage cart races?! Although, strict mom that I am, I didn’t allow them to leave the room, play in the hall, etc.
dawn, thank you. I’ll pass along the wishes 🙂
Yay, I want a major award! I’ll see if I can do that. Might be easier to get her to do it than to get her action figures to.
Now off to get Katy to practice the soulja dance…
The things you ask of people…. 😉 Just kidding, Susie! I totally love you – you know I do, cuz you’re my hero – but I will not do the dance. Any dance. I have a genetic predisposition to not make a fool of myself on film…. Which is why I am not famous and likely will never be. (Whew! Aren’t you glad about that?) Hope you’re having a good day today, Susie!! Glad you guys had a good time!
WOW, you are just so COOL or should I say HOT! Whatever the tween word that is used these days.
I so want a party for my birthday, at a hotel in Mexico. On a beach with margaritas.
Well a girl can dream, eh?
I am glad you still have the coolest, funnest partays!
Do you understand that you are asking for dance from a motion-challenged person?
happy birthday to LG!
it sounds great – now i want to have myself a party at a hotel for my birthday. i’d also like that hotel to be in hawaii. (if it’s for my birthday, i might as well dream big).
i love you, susie, but the dancing video? so not gonna happen with me. i think there’s a law against me doing that. i’m sure of it.
you rock as a mom. you know that, right?
You rocked that party! I love it. And you.
I can’t do the dance right now, except in my mind. But tomorrow I am going to look it up to see what it is so I can at least imagine doing it right!
Happy birthday to LG! 🙂 12 is a nice age.
(At least, it is for boys!)
Well, I love you, but…..
Reading your blog has been, well, refreshing. I too have had a weird WTF disease. I’ll occasionally get very dizzy and lightheaded (as if I’m going to faint, but never do) and I lose my energy and appetite. It used to happen sporadically, but it has become more frequent. I have been to numerous doctors and specialists, who each have differing opinions concerning my WTFD (hypoglycemia, anemia, anorexia nervosa) …none of which are correct.
I think the best word for it is frustrating.
I have always had the mindset that doctors know everything. Naive, yes, but when we’re sick, we go to the doctor. They give us an antibiotic , pat us on the head, and send us on our way. All better.
Sometimes there’s not a magic pill. Doctors are human, unfortunately.
Keep seeing doctors. Don’t accept “I don’t know” as an answer. I believe that one day, he/she will look at you and say, “I know exactly what it is. I can help you.”
Until then, prayers.
[…] It has been nearly 21 years since he asked me to marry him. I still love to look into his denim-blue eyes. He still makes me laugh. And we occasionally go on a date… a dinner out, an extra-long walk, a bike ride, or just a drive. Nothing earth-shattering, like this: I think this comic must have been inspired by this post by Susie! […]