Birthday Party

I just got back home after dropping Garrison off at his first birthday party for a classmate. I find myself with a strange mix of emtions. This is all new to me. For example, I was startled when another mom at school casually said, "See you on Saturday." Me thinking: What?!? What did I forget? I have no plans with you on Saturday. Crud. What did I forget to write down? I keep missing appointments, forgetting to pick up my T.R.I.P. . . I'm so glad I haven't forgotten a kid yet. . . I do respond with "Saturday?" "Yeah," she responds, "Aren't we supposed to stay for the party?"

I have no desire to stay for the party. No. Desire. This mom called and discovered that we weren't required to stay for the party. I'm thinking that if I was supposed to stay, the invitation would have been addressed to "Garrison and his mom who I'm sure wants to spend a Saturday afternoon with many five year old boys. Please bring a gift and some Tylenol." :)

This party is yet another lesson to my other children that things aren't fair. They will continue to learn this, but it is difficult none the less. "There is a Caden in my class, why can't I go to the party?" "Why does Garrison get to go? Will he still have to take a rest time?" "How come he gets a party and I don't?" (How do you even begin with that one--He is not getting a party, he was invited, you will get invited some other time, yes there are boys in your class too, no they will not be at the other party. . . .)Garrison had some fairness issues himself this morning when we went to Target to get the gift. He liked the gift. He wanted to play with the gift. He wanted to keep the gift. He wanted to invite Caden over to our house as long as Caden would come with the gift so that Garrison could play with it. Alas, twas not for him.

Let's talk about the gift. I was kinda excited to venture out for our first birthday present. I'll send Gary next time. It was hard! What do you get for a child you barely know? What does he have? Do his parents have objections to certain toys? How much do I spend? Ack! Twenty minutes of looking. . . I hope Caden enjoys his package of miniture sports balls. Garrison liked it.

I like it that Garrison has a chance to be in another home and practice his manners without us around. He needs opportunities to do this. He needs chances to grow up, to interact with adults that he has just seen once in awhile at school. It is good. I like it that he received an invitation. He carried it around for days and was VERY protective of it. Little kids need mail. It singles them out and makes them feel special. It is something just for them in a world where very little is just for them. Can you hear me yelling "Please share!"? I like it that this is not a playdate where other kids are excluded. Every boy in the class was invited (Bless Caden's mom!) and they were able to talk about it at school. I love it that this is not a playdate where I feel "guilted" into reciprocating. I don't have to invite anyone over after this party! Woo-Hoo! No weight on these shoulders, well, at least not about this issue.

I'm picking him up in a couple of hours. I'll be very excited to hear about everything that happened. I know that I'll get to see one of my most favorite smiles in the whole world. That is the best part of all.