prepping to cope
We decided (or I wanted to and Hubby thought it fine) to have a big BBQ at a local park to celebrate the kids' birthdays in Sept. Big Boy will be 3 and Baby Girl will be 1. We haven't seen so many people in so long. We miss them. Moms know how the first year of motherhood is spent getting used to and intensively nurturing the new person in the world. I need to reconnect with those I have not seen in ages. In other words... those who either do not have children, those who have children with opposing schedules to our own, or those who spend a majority of their time over 15 miles away. We even decided to cater in BBQ because we want to spend the time with the friends and the kids.. not desperately keeping the kids away from fire or smoke and tending the food the whole time. In short.. we are really going all out here to enjoy ourselves with our friends.
I have made my peace in terms of "oh gee, who will actually come? Who will RSVP??" Heck... whoever comes will be great, so long as I know so I can throw together the right number of kiddo goody bags. The RSVP process has been pretty funny so far. I can tell I'll have lotsof calls to make after the "due" date. I'm getting funny phonecallsa bout "We're 80% sure at least half of us will make it". Or, "If we go away this weekend we'll be here next weekend and can come." or "Well, if I've had the baby I'll be there for a bit, but if in the hospital son and hubby will come..." Does this upset me? Nope.... it just makes me laugh at how we are pretty much challenged to lead noncommital lives when babes or pregnancies or pregnancy due dates are involved.
Today as i surfed through yet another day of tidal tantrums from Big Boy and suicidal explorations, pinching, biting, and screaming behavior from Baby Girl a seedier, much more annoying thought came to my mind... "Oh Shit will these age appropriate monsters make it to the party?!?!?" Forget out through it... will we be fighting an uphill battle of tantrums that so demand our attention we'll be *stuck*?!?!
I took them to the park today at the time the party is scheduled to begin. Big Boy decided it was the wrong park and was throwing tantrum in the minivan refusing to come out because it was "the wrong park". I just ignored him to the point of having Baby Girl and diaper bag all packed up and was closing the doors when he decided to change gears and meekly asked, "Let me out, please?". Baby Girl was nearly asleep or trying to be for about an hour or so. Big Boy did his playtime routine all over and just needed some supervision. So I was soothed that it would work. Baby Girl can be tired and even nap if need be at the park.. not a problem. Big Boy had his fits about what way to walk on paths, what structures we had to walk to... etc etc... but it seemed ok.
I'm going to need to call upon the grandparents and auntie to help out that day. To be truthful balloons and tableclothes don't lay themselves and we will be toting down the cake and drinks to the site ( I want to avoid the $80 car entrance fee OUCH!). that is all fine, but doing all that with Big Boy and Baby Girl in tow is a bit daunting. In that I'd use up all my words before the first friend would even get there. I have a funny image of paying the $80... driving to the site, leaving the kids in the car watching some movei while Hubby and I set up without hindrance... hmmm.... that COULD work....
We are going to be having a wing it and cope with it kind of day. it's going to be fun.