February 16, 2010

The Valentine's Day Party


Today was my daughter's Valentine's Day party at school (postponed from Friday because of the snow).

As co-room parent, my job was to co-plan an event that included a snack, a game, and a craft that did not involve dried pinto beans or anything else that could be intentionally snorted up one's nostrils.

My partner and I drew straws for our assignments. She picked the game and treat. I picked the craft and the beverage portion of the snack.

I spent the better part of the past two weeks scouring the Internet and the still-functioning parts of my brain for a seasonally appropriate beverage recipe that would upstage a store bought cupcake.

Turning a first-grade Valentine's Day party into a petty competition takes a lot of time and work.

Despite my labors, I woke up this morning without a clear vision of what I wanted my daughter's class party to be. Fortunately, I found that vision in the form of my son's class party, which was held first thing in the morning. My daughter's party was scheduled for the last period of the day.

I spent the hours between 9am and 2pm at the craft store, duplicating every detail of my son's party, down to the highly original foam heart picture frames.

Some will call my actions tacky. I prefer the term "resourceful."

20 comments

Cindy in PA said...

You go girl!

Mrs. C. said...

Now, I thought you were going to say you made those fabulous cookies in the picture, and in the interest of Mommy one-upsmanship and sheer envy I was going to have to find you and stuff you in a conversation heart box.

But I commend your resourcefulness in party planning!

Heather said...

I personally love copying Family Fun Magazine and having parents ooh and aah at my 'creativity.'

Mrs. Ohtobe said...

Post-Phoned Party Plagiarism? I love it! :)

Emmy said...

Pure genius!!!! Great job :)

Anonymous said...

As long as it works.
then the kids have the same topic to discuss.

What beverage did you provide?

Jamie said...

I was wondering about the beverage as well.

And if you had made those cookies in the photo, I may have needed to unsubscribe to your blog. LOLOL

The Four Week Vegan said...

Why re-create the wheel? I say kudos to you :)

Sally said...

You are an evil genius. I should remember to photograph all my kids' class parties to sell to the highest bidder. I bet I'd get some takers.

Mindy F said...

Amen to that! Love your blog by the way. It always makes me laugh.

Unknown said...

HAHA! NOTHING beats originality!!

Stacey said...

I about died when I read this line, "a seasonally appropriate beverage recipe that would upstage a store bought cupcake." lol I LOVE your blog

Lisa said...

Resourceful, I agree! BTW, when I saw the photo for your post, I thought the other room mom MADE those as the snack... damn, that would be impressive.

Anonymous said...

we had a v-day party yesterday, too. i waited til monday night to buy the stuff so i could everything (valentines, candy, etc) at 50% off! that is being resourceful.

Taylor Swim said...

That is so me! I don't know if the other mom's even realize that I am conciously trying to upstage them. Writing that makes me sound so grown up. I have found the internet to be both my friend and my enemy when it's party time. Some times I get no ideas and some times I get those golden nuggets that make all the other mom's jealous.
I'm pretty sure they have these parties just to make us sweat.

Miss A said...

that's the way to do it! and I bet not a soul knew!

brittany said...

Whenever I need an idea for a craft, snack, beverage, etc. I pirate ideas from this woman.

http://highheelsandaprons.blogspot.com

Next to her, I am the worst wife/mother/friend/neighbor EVER.

Amber Fraley said...

I showed up unannounced to our room party to "help" (lame, I fully admit) and part of the activities that our room mom came up with was to read cheesy valentine jokes while the kids gorged themselves on an obscene plethora of sweets. I laughed out loud when one kid said after a joke, "That's not funny."

Anonymous said...

By repeating the craft you were only making sure no child, at least in those classes felt left out. As no one should be foamless on Valentines day no one.

Luvily said...

Love your blog!!!