Post Party Ponderences

Yup, her shirt says "I am 3." No I didn't make this one, but it just happens to be a pink 3 with white polka dots. Minnie-tastic. I got it on clearance awhile back and figured it was a good shirt because she'd have a daytime outfit on party day and be able to keep wearing the shirt all year. We rocked the "Mouse Ears" hairdo all day.

The party was amazing. I count it as two successful parties in two months. Congrats me(aka Ready, Set, Happily Ever After Events) well done. Today the exhaustion that had been creeping up all week landed like a ton of bricks. So, after some coffee and some completely unfocused sitting around thinking I got to cleaning. It was a BIG job.

On the plus side we got the food exactly right this time. Every hot dog and cupcake was consumed. Every drop of "Minnie's Pink Lemonade" (We mixed strawberry juice and lemonade and floated lemon slices) and Mike's gourmet iced teas had been imbibed. There was only about two bowls full of fruit salad and a plate of chicken left which we polished off Sunday. I was very proud of how little was left food wise, but the dishes were considerable. On top of kitchen mess, toys new and old were EVERYWHERE. Decorations and deflated balloons littered the floors, walls and tables. You can tell kids had some fun here.

I cleaned for about 3 hours, crawling around on the floor. I threw toys up on the wheelchair seat and towed it behind me as I went. I'm sure it was a site. I spend a long time pulling down decorations (snapping extra pictures of anything bound for the trash) and popping balloons. Leeloo wasn't a fan of all the popping. Now does anyone know what to do with the empty helium tank? When I had made a dent in the mess I laid down for a bit before round one of dishes.

I think I was at the sink when it hit me: It's over. All the planning and crafting. It's done now. I waited to feel sad. Nope. Relieved? Not really. Hmmm... Accomplished. That was one heck of a third birthday. You're welcome, Miss Roo. I'm a rockstar party planner. Then something else occurred to me: She's 3. No more toddler, she's a preschooler. She's one of the "big kids." When I think of the diaper clad, breastfeeding, nonverbal days I am awash with relief for potty trained, independent-minded, part time school attending, absurdly articulate Miss Roo. That being said, I am a little sad. It went by so quickly looking back and I spend so much time hurting/healing when she was small.

When Mike got home he didn't mention my cleaning progress. Eventually, I demanded that he look around and say thank you. Sometimes you just have to tell them what you need. Then he laughed and said "I didn't notice because it looked exactly like it did before the party!" It was only after my comment that he realized how much work that must have taken. Miss Roo didn't mind the clean up one bit. I think she'd had just enough birthday and besides down with Minnie means up with Halloween.