Our family does casual gatherings. I’ve written about our 90’s style birthday playdates, our (hopefully) annual 4th of July pool party, and our laid back holiday get-togethers before.
So when my eldest asked for a Lego Ninjago Pool Party for his birthday, I shrugged and said sure; in my head I was already planning for a few pizzas and cupcakes & calling it good.
He had different plans in his head.
I was picturing our regular crowd of three to five families, he had a guest list including not only our usual friends, but also scouting buddies, friends we don’t get to see often, and neighbors. I was going to open up the pool, put on music, and call it day. He’s asked for the addition of a ninja game, ninja decorations, & ninja specific music (???). I was thinking three pizzas and twelve cupcakes, he’s requested a full meal and multiple desserts.
That last request, I can do. After tallying up all the RSVP’s, we’ll have over fifty guests here for his celebration. It’s not his fault – a lot of his buddies are part of big families & I’m very much a “bring the whole family, the more the merrier” type of host. I want to swim & enjoy the party too, so hands-on cooking during the event is out. Here’s what we’ve come up with:
-5 large cheese pizzas
-4 large pepperoni pizzas
-2 large meat lovers pizzas
-1 large veggie pizza (I expect this will go uneaten but gotta cover the bases)
-1 large Hawaiian pizza (specifically for one of my besties)
-2 loaves garlic bread
-watermelon slices
-baby carrots, celery sticks, & ranch dip
-chips
-vanilla cupcakes with lemon frosting (as requested – not my pick)
-caramel brownies
-rice krispie treats
-juice boxes
-various sodas & water bottles
I’m hoping it’s enough, & if it’s not, I will plop the peanut butter & jelly jars along with a loaf of bread onto the picnic table, and get right back to hanging out with our guests. After all, they’re coming to celebrate & have fun, not judge my food preparations. 😉
Disclaimer/Reality Check: I declined doing ninja decorations and music, but I will make some sort of ninja activity. Balance, people, it’s called balance. This column will be about motherhood, parenting, and homemaking for the most part. I am slowly running out of ideas to write about. Most importantly, I don’t ever want this column to make another mama think she’s not doing enough. If you’re reading this, I want you to know that you are, you’re doing great, keep it up. Sing it with me: no-one is doing it allllll!
