I pull up outside the school yard and CJ climbs into the car.
“Mommy mommy I have something VERY IMPORTANT to show you!” he shouts, waving a crumpled piece of paper in front of my face.
“Ok…”
“Now mommy, pay attention.” CJ carefully unfolds two pieces of paper and hands them to me. He has drawn lines across each sheet, lines on which are written in childish scrawl the names of children in his school.
There are a lot of names.
“THESE are the kids who I’m inviting to my birthday party!” CJ announces.
“Ok…”
Before this moment, when I thought about CJ’s sixth birthday party, I was picturing a smallish group of 3 or 4 of his closest friends. I even considered whether I could bribe CJ to not have a party this year. You know, we could stay in a hotel or something instead.
I was definitely NOT planning to host an extravaganza for the entire school.
“So… how did you get all these names?” I ask.
CJ is very proud of his approach. “I went around to each kid and asked them to write their name if they want to be invited to my party.”
Which means it will be exceedingly difficult to NOT invite them. Since they think they’re invited and all.
I’d applaud his creativity if my hands weren’t already busy pulling my hair out.
***Like what you're reading? You can help me achieve my life-long dream of publishing a book by supporting this blog, which is a platform that can help me get published! (Click here to learn more about my book) There are lots of ways to show your support:
- Subscribe by RSS or Email
- Like Absolutely Bananas on Facebook
- Share this post on Facebook (click the link below "Related Posts")
- Tell a friend about Absolutely Bananas
- Leave a comment. They're like candy, but without the calories. :)
xo Jen

May 20, 2009 at 7:45 am
You’ve got to give him points for creativity there! Good luck with the planning!
Carries last blog post..Moving on to a new phase in life
May 20, 2009 at 8:19 am
hahaha! Good luck with that!
May 20, 2009 at 9:15 am
LMAO. Good luck.
Just Jiffs last blog post..summer is here!
May 20, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I just wrote a post in response to this! :) It will publish on the 24th. I’ve had lots of experience with avoiding children’s parties. However, since this is semi-time sensitive, this is part of my post:
To Jen, what about doing a lollipop lottery? Get some dum dums and whoever gets the dum dums with a mark on them gets to come to your 3-4 person party?
OMG, this is my first post TO anyone else. And it was to you. <3
Jillians last blog post..Funny, but not nice
May 21, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I look forward to reading it!
May 20, 2009 at 5:35 pm
That is really funny. To everyone besides you. And now that the whole school is invited his 6 year old reputation will forever be based on what a fabulous party you throw. You poor girl!
Lindsays last blog post..Processed Cheese Food???
May 20, 2009 at 9:45 pm
I would enlist some other mommy friends to help ’cause that’s INSANE.
Kerries last blog post..A Baby Story: Making Peace with Pain
May 20, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Oh wow!! What creativity! I hope you are getting some help. Sounds like quite a bash.
Valeries last blog post..Spring Cleaning and Packing. . . Again!
May 21, 2009 at 6:25 am
Okay, you win the “best mom ever” award and…um…my birthday is next week and I’d like a party, too. Please see my blogroll for suggestions on guest list :) Or, buy me a drink at BlogHer (hope you’re going) ’cause I’m easy – figuratively speaking, of cawse!
Liz@thisfullhouses last blog post..Open House Blog Tour – 17th Showing
May 21, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Ha ha very funny. Sorry but no BlogHer for me this year… will look for many juicy updates from YOU though~!
May 21, 2009 at 7:07 am
My stepson did this as well, we ended up with a pool party at home – outside – went to dollar store for misc pool toys, cheap pizza and chips and mnms.
Heidis last blog post..ack! i think i like mondays
May 21, 2009 at 11:25 am
How awesome would it be if adult party invites were that simple? Seriously. Write your name if you want to come.
You would never get invited to another craptastic Candle Light party (do they still have those?)- (also, hoping you don’t sell candle light… in which case I LOVE candle light parties!!!)
BUT you’d also be invited to all the cool parties with the free wine that you WANT to go to.
I think we should adopt this method, myself. It’s genius!
Good luck with that birthday party – and I’ll take a drink at BlogHer, too. You’ll find me sitting next to Liz waiting. :-p
Dianas last blog post..The Great Generational Divide of the Mommy Bloggers
May 21, 2009 at 12:52 pm
sooo true. I think you’re onto something here. :)
May 21, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I just love your kid! I never would have thought to do that but just may for my next party!
Kathleen@ForgingAheads last blog post..Random Musings III
May 21, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Just be thankful that he has tons of confidence and a million friends. Even if they are going to spill punch all over your carpet.
May 23, 2009 at 9:27 am
Gah!
That’s so funny. And brilliant.
I’m glad my kids aren’t that smart. Wait – can I say that? My kids are smart. Um… You know what I mean.
Reluctant Housewifes last blog post..I Want This
Pingback: Why a small children’s party is as good, if not better than a large party » Blueshelled
May 31, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Aw, how sweet that he doesn’t want to leave anyone out though. Good luck with that party!
Bethanys last blog post..The Gift
November 23, 2009 at 3:06 pm
This is just too funny, and we think that kids are dumb.
I just showed this to my wife and she nearly fell off the chair laughing. Ours are a little younger, so much to look forward to lol.
You brightened my day, thanks.
March 4, 2010 at 10:32 am
This is precious! CJ is definitely resourceful and creative. My favorite line was “Now mommy, pay attention.” That alone would make me very nervous about what idea my little one had just come up with. :-)