Party of a life time-holy cow we made it through!!! It's a long one-but worth reading.
Connor asked to have a party at our house for his 14th birthday. Sounds simple enough, but when Connor does things, he does them up big and before you know it you are involved in something you didn't even know could happen......hence Connor's 14th birthday party.
It started out small - "Mom, can I invite like 20-30 people for a birthday party above the garage?"
"Connor, what about a simple little get together with the kids that mean the most to you?"
"Mom, can I please have a party above the garage with 20-30 people.....you won't have to buy me a gift, just pay for the party."
Now, as a parent, how can you say no to that simple request?
The party planning began...of which Bob and I were not a part. As the days passed and the business of the season, work, etc continued, Bob and I slightly lost track of how the planning was going. But, no fear-Connor had it all under control. After the rush of the Cheshire Thanksgiving game was over, the food was on the table and then quickly gone and the company was gone....we relaxed for the night. The next event coming up was the Dec. 4th party and so we opened up the conversation with Connor on how that was going. I suppose I should be glad that he takes initiative and is independent. He had the whole thing planned; however, as the day approached and the supplies were bought (chips, soda, candy, strobe light, etc), my own anxiety began to increase.
By Thursday the 3d, the details were taken care of and the overwhelming DOOM of what Connor had gotten Bob and I into started to emerge. I heard word from Katie that people Connor had not even invited were coming (keep in mind this is 8th grade....not as we remember it....much more advanced) and these uninvited guests were even inviting people. I have been through enough as assistant principal at the high school to know that music meant dancing (not the dancing we remember-they call it grinding now-exactly what it implies too), uninvited guests may mean uninvited substances, etc., etc. etc. I knew when I went into work Friday morning that I would not remove my assistant principal hat at the door at 3:00, but rather wear it home and try to educate Bob on our job for that night. This was not a birthday party....this was a battle with youth and hormones and we had to win for the sake of our reputation and the health of well being of all kids involved!
In addition to training Bob, I had Brendan and his four 16-18 year old friends on call for any necessary monitoring of the situation. Also Katie had my niece and her friend over....planted spies in the room of concern. Not to mention Keera, the tattle tale, spy and attraction for all 14 year old girls to love, would remain with the big kids all night. I made sure Connor knew that Bob and I would be a permanent fixture in the downstairs of the garage, outside at the fire pit....AND....in the room upstairs as they danced, strobed light and whatever else.....
At this point I know you are dying to know what DOOM and GLOOM came to be, but I will surprise you by saying this had to be one of the most fun things we have ever done.....well, after the first hour of worrying and checking.
The night began a little slow because Connor had to wait for the music system to arrive (borrowing from an old neighborhood friend-awesome system). But everyone seemed to be content just socializing in the big room as we became accustomed to the kids showing up. The food was in the three car garage downstairs, as was the bathroom Bob just redid so it was usable( it really is true that girls go into a bathroom 2-3 at a time). Bob set up our firepit right outside the garage, so we could keep an eye on the food station. Keera was getting to know everyone invited as they came and Brendan showed up with his friends (they had been out at the skating park). I was realieved to see him show up; however, when they arrived, they proudly announced that they had a popeye chicken sign - story for another blog. I was slightly afraid I would see the police then show up. Thank goodnes - not.
Grandpa even came over, but when he saw the scene above the garage, he was so worried that he couldn't move any faster than he did to get out of here. Katie, Nicki and Emily kept popping in upstairs - keep in mind, they are in 7th grade, so really, this was a social event for them too. Brendan practically wouldn't let anyone drink with out asking them to allow him to smell their drinks and apparently my nephew Jeff was busy telling everyone upstairs one-on-one that if they had weed, he was collecting it. (I can't believe I didn't get any parent phone calls about the "security" we had in place.) Bob and I did make various visits upstairs and at one point I was told by Connor I was embarassing him. My reply to that was, "You wanted the party, but Dad and I were responsible for everyone there, so we were going to do what we had to do." That included light checks (turning lights on during strobe light/music times), and sitting up in the room on and off. He accepted it and I think by the end of the night was glad there were limits.
By about an hour into the party, those kids knew we were checking on them in every way possible, without ruining their fun and we were actually having fun sitting by the fire pit, socializing with Brendan and his friends. It was truly a FAMILY event - you can't get much better than that!!!
We ended up with 50 kids dancing, eating, chatting and socializing in the room above the garage, which is about 400-500 square feet. If you remember from the beginning of the article-50 was much more than 20-30, as originally planned.
Connor was a social hit on Facebook, we were happy it all ended well and Connor had over 400.00 for presents (holy cow can that kid throw a party!). Katie, Nicki and Emily had fun and continued their fun sleeping over here inside the house. Brendan made sure he said goodbye to every guest, and asking every girl for a hug....gosh he is funny. Keera had the time of her life getting all kinds of attention from 14 year old girls and Bob and I closed out the fire embers, and yet another chapter in the wonderful and incredible life we share together!!!!
It started out small - "Mom, can I invite like 20-30 people for a birthday party above the garage?"
"Connor, what about a simple little get together with the kids that mean the most to you?"
"Mom, can I please have a party above the garage with 20-30 people.....you won't have to buy me a gift, just pay for the party."
Now, as a parent, how can you say no to that simple request?
The party planning began...of which Bob and I were not a part. As the days passed and the business of the season, work, etc continued, Bob and I slightly lost track of how the planning was going. But, no fear-Connor had it all under control. After the rush of the Cheshire Thanksgiving game was over, the food was on the table and then quickly gone and the company was gone....we relaxed for the night. The next event coming up was the Dec. 4th party and so we opened up the conversation with Connor on how that was going. I suppose I should be glad that he takes initiative and is independent. He had the whole thing planned; however, as the day approached and the supplies were bought (chips, soda, candy, strobe light, etc), my own anxiety began to increase.
By Thursday the 3d, the details were taken care of and the overwhelming DOOM of what Connor had gotten Bob and I into started to emerge. I heard word from Katie that people Connor had not even invited were coming (keep in mind this is 8th grade....not as we remember it....much more advanced) and these uninvited guests were even inviting people. I have been through enough as assistant principal at the high school to know that music meant dancing (not the dancing we remember-they call it grinding now-exactly what it implies too), uninvited guests may mean uninvited substances, etc., etc. etc. I knew when I went into work Friday morning that I would not remove my assistant principal hat at the door at 3:00, but rather wear it home and try to educate Bob on our job for that night. This was not a birthday party....this was a battle with youth and hormones and we had to win for the sake of our reputation and the health of well being of all kids involved!
In addition to training Bob, I had Brendan and his four 16-18 year old friends on call for any necessary monitoring of the situation. Also Katie had my niece and her friend over....planted spies in the room of concern. Not to mention Keera, the tattle tale, spy and attraction for all 14 year old girls to love, would remain with the big kids all night. I made sure Connor knew that Bob and I would be a permanent fixture in the downstairs of the garage, outside at the fire pit....AND....in the room upstairs as they danced, strobed light and whatever else.....
At this point I know you are dying to know what DOOM and GLOOM came to be, but I will surprise you by saying this had to be one of the most fun things we have ever done.....well, after the first hour of worrying and checking.
The night began a little slow because Connor had to wait for the music system to arrive (borrowing from an old neighborhood friend-awesome system). But everyone seemed to be content just socializing in the big room as we became accustomed to the kids showing up. The food was in the three car garage downstairs, as was the bathroom Bob just redid so it was usable( it really is true that girls go into a bathroom 2-3 at a time). Bob set up our firepit right outside the garage, so we could keep an eye on the food station. Keera was getting to know everyone invited as they came and Brendan showed up with his friends (they had been out at the skating park). I was realieved to see him show up; however, when they arrived, they proudly announced that they had a popeye chicken sign - story for another blog. I was slightly afraid I would see the police then show up. Thank goodnes - not.
Grandpa even came over, but when he saw the scene above the garage, he was so worried that he couldn't move any faster than he did to get out of here. Katie, Nicki and Emily kept popping in upstairs - keep in mind, they are in 7th grade, so really, this was a social event for them too. Brendan practically wouldn't let anyone drink with out asking them to allow him to smell their drinks and apparently my nephew Jeff was busy telling everyone upstairs one-on-one that if they had weed, he was collecting it. (I can't believe I didn't get any parent phone calls about the "security" we had in place.) Bob and I did make various visits upstairs and at one point I was told by Connor I was embarassing him. My reply to that was, "You wanted the party, but Dad and I were responsible for everyone there, so we were going to do what we had to do." That included light checks (turning lights on during strobe light/music times), and sitting up in the room on and off. He accepted it and I think by the end of the night was glad there were limits.
By about an hour into the party, those kids knew we were checking on them in every way possible, without ruining their fun and we were actually having fun sitting by the fire pit, socializing with Brendan and his friends. It was truly a FAMILY event - you can't get much better than that!!!
We ended up with 50 kids dancing, eating, chatting and socializing in the room above the garage, which is about 400-500 square feet. If you remember from the beginning of the article-50 was much more than 20-30, as originally planned.
Connor was a social hit on Facebook, we were happy it all ended well and Connor had over 400.00 for presents (holy cow can that kid throw a party!). Katie, Nicki and Emily had fun and continued their fun sleeping over here inside the house. Brendan made sure he said goodbye to every guest, and asking every girl for a hug....gosh he is funny. Keera had the time of her life getting all kinds of attention from 14 year old girls and Bob and I closed out the fire embers, and yet another chapter in the wonderful and incredible life we share together!!!!
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