Sunshine threw a pitch to her mom that she should have a birthday/slumber party last Friday night. Her birthday is actually in July but Sunshine thought it would be a better idea to get a few of her girlfriends (eight to be exact) together before they all go in different directions during the summer. Just think about it... if you were turning eleven and had an opportunity to celebrate your birthday two months early, wouldn't you go for it?
And I would imagine that mom may have thought it a GRAND idea to celebrate now before the new baby arrives instead of later when she will be chasing the little tornado while feeding, burping and changing a four-week-old and getting even less sleep than one doesn't get at an eleven-year-old's slumber party.
Sunshine invited friends from her class and her cousin, who is three years younger. Cousin is our number one grand child and I call her Bluebird. She loves to sing even though her pitch is not perfect. She loves to dance even though her rhythm is of her own making. She loves to draw and is very good at it. She loves to plan parties, attend parties and throw parties. Bluebird talks fast when she gets excited or nervous and she often leaves a consonant off the beginning of her words. Bluebird told her mom that she had to dress appropriately for Sunshine's party and when she arrived she strutted in like she was three years older not three younger. Sunshine welcomed her with open arms.
Bluebird was happy to be invited to her older cousins party and she was not a bit bashful about being the youngest. She acted like she was one of the girls - like she knew them all as well as she knew her friends in her own class.
I was at the party to help Sunshine's mother and to take photos. Sometimes throughout the night I got to be the fly on the wall as I listened and observed the girls interacting with each other. I was delighted to hear how often they complimented each other... how generous they were... and how they included everyone instead of forming groups of favorites.
I was worried that Bluebird might not be included in all the conversations or that she might get teased when she talked too fast. But that never happened. Not once. And I don't think it was even in any one's mind but my own. Shows you what I know.
Bluebird was the life of the party and all the girls wanted her to sleep by them or play with them or keep them laughing. They laughed with her when she couldn't hoola-hoop in the conventional fashion but could wrap it around her neck for a couple of revolutions.
Sunshine was a pro at the hoola-hoop. She gyrated for more than five minutes, walking around, singing and moving her arms in opposite directions. All the girls cheered her on and no one whined because they could not hoola as well as anyone else. Each girl had their time to try the hoola and each girl was acknowledged for her participation with cheers, applause and lots of giggling.
Even little tornado got in on the circle of fun. He's not quite up on his party etiquette though. He hasn't learned that you it isn't polite to sit on a quest's dinner plate.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how all the girls embraced Bluebird and complimented each other. What a joy to see this group building each other up. It seemed as if Competition had not been invited. As I reflect on that night I realized that Bluebird did not try to be any thing other than who she is. She did not feel inferior or too young or too limited in any way. She was ALL RIGHT just being a fast-talking, high-walking, song-singing bluebird. I learned a lot about my grand daughters that night. And I must tell you sometimes children know best.
Sunshine's mom not only said yes, but got excited herself to have a party in their new home.
And I would imagine that mom may have thought it a GRAND idea to celebrate now before the new baby arrives instead of later when she will be chasing the little tornado while feeding, burping and changing a four-week-old and getting even less sleep than one doesn't get at an eleven-year-old's slumber party.
I was at the party to help Sunshine's mother and to take photos. Sometimes throughout the night I got to be the fly on the wall as I listened and observed the girls interacting with each other. I was delighted to hear how often they complimented each other... how generous they were... and how they included everyone instead of forming groups of favorites.
I was worried that Bluebird might not be included in all the conversations or that she might get teased when she talked too fast. But that never happened. Not once. And I don't think it was even in any one's mind but my own. Shows you what I know.
Bluebird was the life of the party and all the girls wanted her to sleep by them or play with them or keep them laughing. They laughed with her when she couldn't hoola-hoop in the conventional fashion but could wrap it around her neck for a couple of revolutions.
Sunshine was a pro at the hoola-hoop. She gyrated for more than five minutes, walking around, singing and moving her arms in opposite directions. All the girls cheered her on and no one whined because they could not hoola as well as anyone else. Each girl had their time to try the hoola and each girl was acknowledged for her participation with cheers, applause and lots of giggling.
Even little tornado got in on the circle of fun. He's not quite up on his party etiquette though. He hasn't learned that you it isn't polite to sit on a quest's dinner plate.
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