Five girls + Long drive = Worn out parents!
Posted by Dory @ Lucky Dorito on Monday, November 24th, 2008
My youngest daughter has the misfortune of being born close after Thanksgiving, December 2nd. Most of us have the same hectic schedule between Thanksgiving and Christmas, what with all the office parties, school band concerts, town parades, family get-togethers, yada yada…. that each year we struggle to squeeze in a birthday celebration for her. Or… we can make it fit – but the kids she’d want to invite – can’t.
A few weeks ago when I had the great honor to meet some of my fellow bloggers and have our fabulous *Girls Weekend* that included painting pottery at Louisville Stoneware – an idea was born.
I asked Luby what she thought of inviting just a few friends and going back to Louisville Stoneware so each could paint their own piece of pottery and then we’d eat a late lunch and head back home. It’s a long drive so we had to carefully pick girls who’s parents knew my hubby and I so they’d feel comfortable letting their child go with us.
Needless to say, she was THRILLED with the idea! Calls were made to parents and approval was given. So at 9am Saturday morning, we all loaded into my oldie-but-goodie van and headed off. Three 8 to 9 year olds sat in the way back, Beebo and her friend (11 year olds) in the middle seat and my hubby and I up front. I didn’t account for the fact that two weeks later, I’m still carrying that crappy cold around with me…. which makes me tired and slightly irritable.
Let’s just say …. girls can be LOUD when enclosed in small spaces. Frightening LOUD. Who knew?
The trip in the car should have been a sign of the day to come, in retrospect.
Louisville Stoneware was as much fun with little girls as it was with my bloggy friends – although I wasn’t walking on eggshells worrying the adults would break something like I was with the kids. As long as they were busy painting – they were fine… but as soon as they were done… it was, shall we say… difficult? to keep them from wanting to roam off into the showroom and touch everything while the other girls finished their items.
All in all, it was a rousing success – even if a little stressful for the momma…. my precious hubby was too busy with the video camera to notice my uneasiness there for a while until I finally poked him to WAKE UP and help! 
From there, we went to eat at the Olde Spaghetti Factory. We had a great meal and lots of excitement as that many girls tried to contain themselves (and didn’t exactly succeed…. key word there was tried). Luckily, we were there between the usual lunch and dinner hours so it was not terribly busy. Thankfully! My kids are used to me being strict in a restaurant about behavior – I don’t tolerate a lot of shenanigans because it is so unfair to the other diners but…. it was way different to have a whole tassle of girls feeding off of each others antics.
Birthday Girl on her Throne
Goofy self portrait
Happy Birthday Luby!
And then…. the long drive back home! Needless to say, the girls were still going strong but this momma was WORN OUT! One of the girls asked, “Can I call my Mom and ask to stay a few more hours?” I said, “Um… NO.” I was thinking, “HECK no!!” at that point but was trying to be nice. 
Luby and Beebo both thanked us repeatedly for such a great day, they had a BLAST – so it was all worth it in the end.
Filed in Kids,Life,Me,NaBloPoMo,Randomness,Weirdness in my world | 12 dorito bits so far
Shannonon 24 Nov 2008 at 7:37 am 1I’m so glad they all had such a good time- I knew they would. It’s funny how the things our kids love the most and will remember when they are older- are usually the things that compltely EXHAUST their parents.
And just think- at least it was NOT a slumber party
Jenon 24 Nov 2008 at 7:40 am 2Looks like a fun birthday! Makes me miss you all though!
Happy Birthday Sweet Little Luby!
Stacyon 24 Nov 2008 at 7:58 am 3So glad that you got to take her back there. I am sure she had just as much fun as we did.
Tracieon 24 Nov 2008 at 8:09 am 4Sounds like a great day! …..for the girls! LOL
Been there, done that! & Will probably end up doing it again! LOL
Doryon 24 Nov 2008 at 8:20 am 5Soooo glad it was NOT a slumber party! lol The girls love them but holy cow! Talk about LOUD!
Guinieon 24 Nov 2008 at 8:37 am 6LOL It’s amazing they don’t seem to have any idea how incredibly loud they can be, isn’t it? lol I bet if you got together with a bunch of your friends and cut loose, they’d be asking you to be quiet. lol “Mom, geez, you’re so loud!” lol (This has happened to me before…)
I’m glad they had such a great time!!!
Doryon 24 Nov 2008 at 8:40 am 7You’re so right Guinie…. along with a little *eye-rolling* at me for being silly.
Beccaon 24 Nov 2008 at 10:12 am 8You know what I thought since we conversed on it, but I am glad it was you and not me
, you are a much better person than me. I would have been pulling my hair out. But those pictures are priceless! I love them. And you really are a good sport for having done it!
Hugs,
B
BEKon 24 Nov 2008 at 10:52 am 9Oh I am so glad Luby got a special birthday event! Looking at those pictures brings back a lot of memories! You’re such a special mom, good job keeping your cool when you felt exhausted
SCARECROWon 24 Nov 2008 at 12:09 pm 10It’s like looking at the stills from “A Very Brady Movie”.
S
megon 24 Nov 2008 at 4:17 pm 11Love ya, chica- but I’m sooo glad it was you & not me
You all are so sweet to make her day special- a real sacrifice of love when you aren’t feeling well- & she’ll treasure it for a long time; I know I’ll remember our time there fondly
Jeanon 24 Nov 2008 at 6:19 pm 12Aww, admit it, you loved it too!! That looks like fun was had by all. I love kids that age. Yes, they are loud!! But, they’re usually happy and funny… Good for you, giving her such great memories, and something to brag about!! (what her mom and dad took them to do)
She was born on my folks Anniversary!! This year will be their 63rd!!!
I’m glad you got a nap, yesterday, though!!
hugs,
Jean