What do you do when your son “reminds” you that there are 100 guests invited to his Sweet 16 party in three days (which is today)?
- Don’t panic.
- Remind yourself that this child is one of your most amazing blessings.
- Ask him how much money he is willing to contribute to make this party a success.
- Look at your calendar, see that you will be gone every day until and including said party.
- See number one
- Wake up morning of “party”, hop on computer before leaving for the day to enlist readers in a pity party.
- GET CREATIVE. What things can our home offer that no one else can?
- Enjoy the process. (If I can pull this off successfully with great food and fellowship, anyone can).
- Go wake up ‘soon to be’ birthday boy and tell him, “This is your party, get to work.”
- Leave house, knowing that two teenagers are in charge of cleaning for the day and hope they become real men while I’m gone.
Yes, I just wanted to invite you along for our ride of real life “Beauty and Bedlam.” Don’t you just love raising teenagers? In his defense, we did talk about this party….one month ago… before Ecuador was a reality. In his mind, he’s covered, people are invited and I am committed. We will make this happen.
Check back as I blog about how we pulled off a huge party in a day. Complete with good food and fun.
I can’t tell you yet (because I don’t know). 😉
Can’t wait to see how it all turns out – I know it will be fabulous!
This will be fun to watch. Just said a quick prayer for you… I know you will make it memorable and meaningful. Love and joy will abound! You could have slips of paper by the door with a jar or bowl… have everyone write a thought to your son as they come in. Then later you can gather everyone to pass the jar and pull one out to read out loud to the group and your son. Have a fun day!!! Blessings!
They’re teenagers. As long as you feed them and give them a place to hang out, they will have a blast.
We have lots of parties for 80+ people at our house, and I stress about them all, only to find out that everyone is just thankful that someone has provided the opportunity for them to gather and enjoy each other’s company — including that ever-growing herd of teenagers migrating between the snack table and the screen porch.
Lord, thank you for teenagers and the amazing surprises that come with them. I pray that all details of this party would be taken care of without a hitch and that it would be just a great time of fun, fellowship and FOOD and that it will be something this 16 year old young man will never forget. Amen
It will be great. Remember #1…don’t panic. Great idea from Terri. Could even save those notes and put them in a notebook or something to save. But, yes, just keep them fed and that should do it. I don’t know about boys, but working in youth group for so many years, food seemed to be the thing that united them. Have fun. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out. God bless.
Well, at least it will be one for the memory books.
Add #11 to the list: Remind yourself that one day in the far off future all of this will be funny.
Wow… good luck! My parents would never have let me do that, but then again I was not involved with the best people. Hope your son is friends with good kids and everything goes off without a hitch!
Good luck!!! Many birthday blessings to your son. 🙂
Oh Jen! I’m just now reading this. I hope it went wonderfully and I’m sure it did! Kelly