Super Sleepover Secret
Ahhh...the sleepover. That single word that can strike both fear and excitement into both children and parents alike. Well, okay it's mostly fear for the parent(s) and excitement for the child(ren), but still. A rite of passage, almost, the sleepover can mark the transition of your child going from your little baby girl to your growing young woman. The friendships that are formed and solidified at the sleepover can last a lifetime. The bonds of those relationships strengthened with each "truth or dare" question, with each secret told, with each nail polished and with each hair braided.
As a child, I had a love/hate relationship with the sleepover. I suffered from homesickness. Severely. It was a bit embarrassing and I was very often the only one left awake from 2am until around 9am in a home that wasn't my own. Whose middle of the night noises I was not familiar with. And whose shadows I didn't know the owners of. Still. I never turned down an invitation to a sleepover. Never. I knew all too keenly the importance of being part of the ritual that is the sleepover.
As parent, I now get to see the other side of the sleepover. The work part. The cleaning up after everyone goes home part. The constant hushing of the girls in the middle of the night part. The monster that has taken over the body of my lovely daughter the next day part. And I have so much more respect for the parents of my childhood friends. So. Much. More.
And now, as a parent, and a former sleepoverer...we'll just say that's a word...I wanted out to find the secret to hosting "The Best Sleepover Ever!" First, I tried letting the girl have just one friend over. I left the girls to their own devices and let them just have fun. The result? Good. Not great. Next, we had the two girl cousins over one night and, on a whim, I decided we would turn it into a spa themed sleepover. We made homemade masks, sat in a relaxing candle-lit room with ambient music and drank fruit smoothies. This seemed to be a little more successful, but still...not the best. And I wanted the BEST. More one friend at a time sleepovers followed. Good times every time. And yet? Well...I think you can guess.
But! BUT! I think I have found it! I think I may have stumbled onto the recipe for "The Best Sleepover Ever!" It's as easy as 1-2-3, and looks a little sum'n like this:
Step 1: Give birth to an insanely creative girl. Let rise for about 9 1/2 years.
Step 2: Tell the girl that she can have a multi-friend sleepover when we move into the new house.
Step 3: Sit back and relax as she plans everything. This is what she will come up with:
She decided one day to make money for her sleepover. And each friend would get $45.25 with which to spend on the events for the evening.
That's right. Events. There were several events that took place during the evening. And each one had a dollar amount attached if you wanted to participate. The husband was kind enough to make this menu for each girl so they would know what they were in for:
First up; The Marvelous Makeover! I gave each girl a quick makeover and they dressed up to get ready for the Catwalk! I hung some fabric against the wall in the basement and rolled out a runway using a ream of packing paper. We put on some crazy fun music, and the girls each got a turn to model their new look and have pictures taken of themselves.
Next up; The Fabulous Feast! We had pizza, but to make it fabulous, their juice was served in wine glasses. And included in the price of the meal was a make-your-own sundae bar! This is always a hit, and I recommend it for every occasion. Who doesn't like making their own sundae?
Then it was movie time! Sleeping bags were arranged on the floor, stuffed animals or dolls...a requirement for attending...propped up to see the screen and the popcorn was set to pop! The air, it was alive with girly giddy glee.
When the movie ended, it was my time to exit the party. I knew that this was when the real sleepover started. And moms generally create inhibitions. And inhibitions do not a fun "truth or dare" game make. So, I retreated to my bed and was impressed with how quiet they were actually being, all things considered. The morning came and found the girls all tattooed with markers and happily content with chatting with one another while I made chocolate chip pancakes. And I knew. I knew that it had been accomplished. How did I know? I overheard one of the girl's friends exclaim to herself, "This was the best sleepover ever!"
And all was right with the world.
Now, my lovely readers, as a reward for sticking with that long-winded assertation of my sleepover experiences, I give you a sneak peak of Sick and Tired. The brother and sister pair that will be available for adoption in just four more days from my shop!
