Don’t get me wrong. I’ve taught 2nd grade. I know that 8 year olds are chaotic. Here’s the thing, I thought we’d dodge a bullet or two. Gage only invited 4 friends over. His plan was to watch at Star Wars movie, eat pizza, then cake and ice cream, and presents and boom! we’re done.
But, one boy couldn’t come and then we remembered our neighbor who has to come because he lives at our house on the weekends — so much so that we forgot to include him! Sheesh! — and then there was an RSVP phone call in which a brother got invited too somehow. Anyway, we ended up with 6 boys and 1 girl (who hid in her room most of the evening with her dad standing guard — the boys were NOT respecting her wishes! 🙂 ). First there were sword fights with much running and jumping and yelling. We finally got them chilled and watching the movie. A couple of them have issues with being still so it was a bit chaotic even during the movie. Pizza helped. One boy could not sit still even to eat — Wow. That was intense. When the movie was nearly over, we did cake and ice cream — totally fun. After though, none of the boys (except Gage) wanted to watch anymore. The sugar was coursing and they wanted to PLAY! Gage was a little bummed so I went and “teacher voiced” them. They are such good boys — they all came and sat and watched the end of the movie and were good sports about it. Presents were an intense group activity. And, then there was about 10 minutes of playing before parents started arriving. Great timing. My headache was just ramping up from simmer to boil.
Most important though. Gage had a great time. He loved having his friends there. Loved watching the movie with them. And, since we have the world’s biggest TV, it’s almost like being in a movie theatre.
Happy birthday, Gagey. I wouldn’t do it for any boy but you!
mother. wife. friend. teacher. writer. reader. photographer. birder. quilter. blogger.
Liza Lee Miller 
Was Ruby appalled by the boys or did she have fun running around with them?
A little of both. She was pretty excited by the whole thing but whenever the boys would fly through at 90 mph and then stop and jab an arm out to her to be petted, she’d flinch back — almost as if little boys might be loud and unpredictable — and then the boys would look up at me with hurt expressions and say, “I wouldn’t hurt her.” 🙂
When they’re all sitting still there are hardly any kids there. But those action shots…. Are you sure there are only 6 of them?
I mean, sometimes I think I must have more than 2 kids here based on the noise and activity level.
Happy Birthday Gage! Yay!!!!!
Happy Birthday, 8 is such a great age! Enjoy it!
Do you have any idea how much I wish I was hosting this birthday party instead of walking on a deserted beach in sunny 65 degrees with only the piping plovers to keep me company? No. I didn’t think so. Happy Happy birthday Gage and mom and dad. This post definitely brings back memories- and they are all good. Eight year old boys are sweet, no matter what else.
HI Liza:
Found your blog — can’t believe Gage is 8 already!
Looks like a wild party.
Deb H.
I get to do the 9th birthday party thing this weekend. It’s hard to believe our babies are growing up so fast.