Margaret is 6

Margaret's sixth birthday was quite an extended celebration. Several months ago, I learned that I would need to travel for work right around the time of her birthday. The first proposal had me getting home too late to see her on her actual day. I asked her about this, and she bravely said that she would understand if I had to be gone, and we could celebrate when I got back. Thank goodness I trusted Mommy instinct on this one rather than her words, and also that I have some understanding and accomodating co-workers. Through some finagling, I managed to arrange flights to arrive home Sunday evening, just before her Monday birthday.

Then, shortly before the trip, Jeremy decided to throw a "family" party on Sunday, when those from out-of-town could visit. The list quickly grew, to perhaps the biggest gathering we have ever hosted: his parents, grandparents, sister & 3 kids, my dad, brother, aunt/uncle, aunt, and grandmother. With Jeremy and our 3 kids, that made for a full house. Unfortunately, Maggie now felt that this was a key part of her birthday and so felt betrayed that I wouldn't be there. (Sometimes you can't win with the mommy guilt.) Fortunately, having 18 people in the house seemed to keep her distracted enough when the day finally arrived.

I made it to the tail end of Jeremy's bash (the younger guests were still here). Then on Monday, Margaret wanted to have friends over. I had invited her friends before I left. Another example of Mommy guilt, I think, because she had been begging all summer to have a sleepover party. I had been saying, "Probably not" all summer, telling her she was too young still. But then, as I prepared for my trip, and she was acting clingy about my departure, of course I relented. After all, I hadn't been much older when I had my first slumber party, had I? (I don't actually recall. Which is why I need to use this blog to document the age of Maggie's first slumber party, so that I can talk her into letting her daughter have one someday!)

I was surprised that of the 3 girls who could come to the party, 2 wanted to stay over (and 1 RSVP'd that they would take us up on the offer to go home at bedtime). I was even more surprised that when her dad showed up at 8:00, that girl begged to stay after all. I was even more surprised that the evening passed without major incident. One girl got teary during a sad part of the movie ("Babe, Pig in the City") but the other girls were very caring and helpful, and she soon recovered with a hug and change of movie (to "Cinderella"). Other than that, there were no tears, no bed-wetting, no generally unpleasant consequences. And the only vomit came from James, who overate pizza, cake, and ice cream, and was asleep long before the younger girls.

The next morning the girls were still cheerful and playing together great. In fact, they all begged to extend the day beyond the 11 AM party's end. Here, I did put my foot down, knowing that the inevitable meltdown was coming (it did, around 4 PM for Maggie), and knowing that I didn't want it multiplied by other little girls. All in all, a rousing success. I might even try it again sometime. :)