Posted on: Sunday, March 6, 2005
FAMILY MATTERS
Host a birthday party? Uh, sure, bring it on
By Ka'šhua Lucas
Two weeks ago, we celebrated my youngest son's 11th birthday. He had begged me to have a sleepover.
All I could remember were the birthday parties I've hosted in the past for my two eldest children.
When my daughter turned 10, we celebrated her party at our home. The girls she invited spent much of their time giggling way into the middle of the night.
One of my daughter's friends was vegetarian. We knew this but didn't realize she was extremely sensitive to mayonnaise.
In the wee hours of the morning, I could hear her friend upchucking in the bathroom. I spent the rest of my sleeping hours awake, trying to console her.
My eldest son's 13th birthday consisted of an overnight at his grandma and grandpa's house. He had a dozen or so friends who ran up and down the length of the lawn at 2 a.m., playing hide and seek. My husband had to round them up before security arrived on the scene.
So when my youngest asked to have a sleepover, I had some reservations.
How many friends would he want to invite? Would they go to sleep at a reasonable hour? Did I have to cook a special meal for those who were sensitive to certain kinds of foods?
Tutu and Grandpa invited their grandson to have his party at their home. We had about 10 cousins and friends over to celebrate.
My husband and I have been hosting birthday parties for so many years that we really do have it down to a science. I'm pretty much in charge of cooking, cleaning and overseeing the treasure hunt. My husband is the lifeguard, camp counselor, short-order cook and activity director all balled up into one.
My son's friends were so well behaved (and quiet) that I wondered if they were having fun at the party.
The only words uttered by one of his friends were, "Do you have ketchup?"
"Yeah, Mom," the birthday boy insisted. "My friends are having a really good time. They just don't express themselves like I do."
"I guess I'm not used to that," I teased. "I'm surrounded with keiki who love to chatter — even when not prompted."
He just grinned.
We ended the birthday celebration with a treasure hunt.
The party guests were given an index card that had a verse from one of my son's favorite songs. The verse gave the children hints where to unearth their next clue.
At the end of the hunt, they found their goodie bags hidden in a rubbish bag that was stuffed with mango leaves.
"Once, again, we have hosted a party that has been a resounding success," my husband said. "Now if I could just figure out a way to make a profit off of it, we'd be stylin'!"
Reach Ka'ohua Lucas at Family Matters, 'Ohana page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802 or at ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com.
