Dear Mai,
It's nearing Halloween and we've been pretty into the fall / Halloween thing this year. Now back in the day, Halloween meant scary stuff. Try to see as many horror movies as possible, haunted houses and whatever else that would scare the bejesus out of me. In fact the last Halloween party I threw was before your time when Mommy and I lived in Columbus. We had a house full of friends, drinks, food, music, fun and the original 1973 Tobe Hooper version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on repeat. Good times. Good times.
Fast-forward to this year. Out of the blue a couple of weeks ago you said with a very matter of fact tone:
Maya: "Maybe we can have lots of treats and candy corn for my Halloween party."
Mommy: "What Halloween party?"
Maya: (exasperated with a heavy sigh) "My Halloween party for all my friends of course! Emma, Ben, Noelle, Genevieve and Lorelei!"
Mommy: (gives daddy the "are you responsible for this" look)
Daddy: "Hey! I know nothing about this. This is the first I heard of it!"
Mommy and I figured it was just another 3-year-old crazy rambling. You talk a lot of smack sometimes Mai. Our plan was to ignore it and let it go away.
Nope.
Almost every day you had something else that you wanted to have or do for your party. We were at the point of no return. Since we didn't nip this in the bud right away and we just ignored it, we just HAD to have your little party for you. So finally last week we checked to see if your friends were available. They were. Great. I guess it's party time!
Now. Hmmm. Let's see. You probably realize by now that Daddy KNOWS how to throw a party. But you have also probably heard exasperated Mommy say that Daddy doesn't know how to throw a low-key party. Both of these things are true. I went into party mode.
Now I'm very busy at work these days but the day of your party arrived and I decided to take the day off to put my full attention on this. I've had some ideas about games and food but now came the real deal. I woke up early, made lists, hit the stores and when I got home you, Mommy and I went crazy on decorating, cooking and getting ready. I will have to say you are mommy were quite the helpers.
Now I'm not trying to brag (too much) but I think we pulled off a good little shindig.
We had a streamer door
Goblin mouths and severed carrot fingers
Monster mouths
Skull Quesadillas
Pumpkin cake
Carved a scary jack-o-lantern. You are a priss like mommy and didn't like touching the pumpkin guts. Smelling the seeds? That was okay. Touching the guts? No way. Whatever. Kids are weird.
Pumpkin bowling with 1, 2 and 3 pint bowling "balls"
We played trick or treat, other games and had lots of treat bags and other fun
All this for 6 kids. Yup. 6. Not 10. Not 20. Six. Oh well, us parents enjoyed the festivities too.
After all my complaining, I LOVE the fact that you wanted to throw a party. I LOVE that you are developing more social skills and I LOVE the fact that you want to help decorate, cook and be the hostess with the mostess. Having parties are a lot of work. It takes a lot of time but the payoff is the fun. We played the whole "What was your favorite part" question game this morning as we were cleaning.
Maya: "My favorite part was.. the candy. And the pumpkin cake."
Mommy: "My favorite part was the laughing and having fun with friends."
Maya: "What? That's not even a thing?"
Daddy: "That was my favorite part too. I love laughing and having a good time with friends!"
Maya: "Daddy!!! That is not even a thing I said!"
(We all laugh and say "Oh Maya!")
It is a thing my dear. It is the most important thing. Laughter and good friends is not only the best thing about a party. It's the best thing about life. Never forget that my beautiful, amazing girl. Keep hosting parties and building friendships. Best. Gift. Ever.
I love you my little goofball punkin,
Daddy