Sunday, December 10, 2017

Birthday party survival plan

Laura came up on and turned into her sixteenth year in good order. She wanted a party. 


Our neighbor Cathy recognized my distress, and offered to organize it. Back when my girls were in school, every birthday was celebrated at a restaurant of their choice with friends of their choice.  They thought it was really cool, and you know what this teen-age inept mother thought.


This is what Cathy did. But, wait, it gets better. And, keep an eye on the helium balloons that go missing.


The party. Edibles were East of Chicago pizza, which we highly recommend. It's almost as good as Laura's homemade. And, root beer and cherry coke. And, thank God, water. And, Laura's fab cheese cake. Gone, gone, gone. No pictures.


Some  of the prezzies.


The organizer, and her grateful neighbor. Then we all went to the movies. 


We (the young women) saw Coco in one theater, and the organizer and her grateful neighbor saw The Orient Express in the theater next door.

Orient ended fifteen or so minutes before Coco, and Cathy and I stood in the lobby looking for a current picture of Kenneth Branaugh. Well, Cathy was all over her phone; I was amused. He did come up looking OK, though.

Then, Coco began exiting. First, a hall of adults, moving quickly and looking backward, followed by such howling and wailing. Literally, a sound chamber of banshees. The Coco adults were gone before our six teens arrived, some supporting others. 

Laura, Lexie and Meredith were holding up Anneka, Annie and Kayla, the howlers. That was so SAD, the three wailed in unison. Cathy and I had splitting sides and sore ribs, both from holding it in and losing our composure.

It was dark and it was snowing, and it was time to get back, so three teens with composure and two adults with some composure, herded the three sad-o's to our cars. I had Meredith, Anneka and Annie. Before the door was shut, Anneka swooped up the balloons from the floor. "They're still here," triumphant and recovered.

"How will you get a hole in it?" Annie's little voice. "Just like that!" Alvin's chipmunk voice rejoined. "Oh, My, God," pass it to me. Don't let any out. Three chipmunks travelling home. Grandma (Jo by now) in the front seat, ribs aching, eyes streaming, Bob Dylan, Everybody Must Get Stoned...

Say ON-A-Kuh. It makes the story even better.


29 comments:

  1. This post had me laughing so much I had to read it 2 or 3 times. Epic.

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  2. Laura will remember her 16th for sure, Joanne!

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  3. And a good time was had by all - a perfect 16th Birthday.

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  4. You had such a good time, and there was no alcohol!

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  5. Sounds like a very lovely time was had by all. I want to see The Orient Express.

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  6. Oh, what a nice birthday treat - pizza and a movie. Happy birthday, Laura. Aloha from Hawaii.

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  7. Hari om
    This sounds to have been the best possible celebration...for Jo as much as 'Lo'!!! Am mildly jelly that you got to see MotOE. Suspect it will be gone by the time I get near a cinema. YAM xx

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  8. Happy 16th Laura! Love the pictures!

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  9. A very happy birthday! You look great in that photo, btw.

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  10. Laura looks beautiful. It sounds like all of you had a good time.

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  11. Huge smiles. Long distance, but big ones. Lovely post, thank you.

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  12. Sounds like a good time was had by all!

    betty


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  13. I cannot remember my 16th birthday, Laura. Be certain this post is preserved for at least 52 years so you can consult the details of yours --and thank dear Joanne.

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  14. That sounds like a very fun night. Dinner and a movie just can't be beat.

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  15. What a great way to celebrate a 16th birthday!

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  16. Laura found a bird nest on the ground when you intervened. what a great birthday for her.

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  17. Heh heh . . . sounds like a great time even for grandma, and told SO well :)

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  18. That was a beautiful party for Laura, Joanne, and she is so lucky to have you! In the Netherlands (where I am now for a week) they use to congratulate not only the birthday-girl, but also the family and friends, which I think is nice. So: congratulations, Joanne!

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  19. Happy Birthday Laura. What a great one xx

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  20. Sounds like ti was all good and especially the ending.

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