1. The chaos continues around here. Today, it’s some furniture being delivered, wood for repairing our kitchen floor getting dropped off, and our laundry room has been totally ripped out. My husband, as I have said, is barely fazed by this. To him, it’s business as usual. But I keep finding myself coming over here to my office and just EXHALING, enjoying the fact that everything is working and quiet. Especially me. But I know, in the end, all the upheaval and stress and craziness will be worth it. It’s like writing a novel. Once it’s done and you get to see the finished product, you forget all the angst it caused as it came into being. If you didn’t, you’d never do it again. Although I am willing to say I WILL be writing another book before I start any more home projects. That is, if I can keep my husband from doing it anyway.
2. Speaking of working, it’s that time of the summer when it seems like the whole WORLD is on vacation. Call it Dog Days or just August, but it seems like every email I sent gets an auto-response saying they’ll get back to me in a couple of weeks. In Chapel Hill, where I live, it’s that lull before the students all come back and everything revs up again. I’ve learned to appreciate these quiet parts of the summer here, when you can easily get a parking spot downtown and a good table at your favorite restaurant. Shorter lines at the bank, lots of open machines at the gym. Time just slows down when the days are long and hot and town is empty. Before I know it, the streets will be crowded again, with beer trucks blocking Franklin Street as the bars stock up and the bus shelters on my way into town packed with twenty-somethings wearing backpacks, tapping away at their phones. As a faculty brat, I’ve always lived on the UNC schedule: my year begins in August, ends in May. Everything else is summer. Just the way I like it!
3. This week, I got completely sucked into Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL, a book I had heard SO much about I couldn’t wait to read it. I’ve been a fan of Flynn since she wrote for EW years ago—I am a longtime subscriber, totally addicted—and read her first novel and loved it. It seemed like everyone was talking about how great GONE GIRL was, but I have learned that most books don’t live up to the hype, especially if you hear the hype for a LONG time before you read it. This one did. It was one of those books that once I started it, I could NOT stop reading. In fact, don’t tell my editor, but I lost an entire day when I was supposed to be working on my OWN book just because I had to finish it. Won’t spoil it by saying much, just that it’s unlike anything else I’ve read in awhile. If YOU are heading out on vacation and looking for a good read, pick it up. You won’t be sorry.
4. I bought a white dress today. Let me rephrase that: me, a person who cannot eat anything without leaving some of it on whatever I am wearing, bought a white dress. It was one of those things you just KNOW is a bad idea even as you are doing it. But I couldn’t help it. I was at Saks! It was on sale! It looked cute on! Unfortunately, none of these things will prevent me from spilling coffee or red wine down the front of it the first time I wear it. But life is short. You don’t have to look far for proof, especially these days. Last weekend, I got together with my high school girlfriends for a spa day and night out. We met when we fifteen or so, and have seen each other through boyfriends, college, marriage and now children and career. We’re getting older; our parents are getting older; our marriages are getting older; our children are getting older. It’s the ultimate irony that you realize how important it is NOT to waste time after you’ve already done such a lot of it. So yes, I bought a white dress. I will most likely get stained. But until it does, I will be able to enjoy and say “I did this, just this once,” and that’s a good thing. Also, I might wear a rain poncho over it. Unless that would be too weird?
5. Finally, as the end of the summer gets closer, I face the fact that my baby, my tiny little girl, is about to turn…wait for it…five. FIVE. Oh, man. Wasn’t I JUST pregnant and dragging my self around in flattened flip-flops, having hormonal rages because I couldn’t figure out why everyone was staring at me at Whole Foods? (Answer: because I looked like a HUGE, CRAZY person. That’s why.) What can I say, August 2007 was not my best look or month. But now here we are in 2012, and five seems like a milestone. Also, it’s the first year we’ve decided NOT to do a casual party here at home but have it someplace else, like a museum or theme restaurant. All I know is that Sleeping Beauty MUST be involved somehow. I have some wiggle room otherwise. Truth: the idea of planning this birthday party is giving me the nervousness, mostly because I’ve been to some other parties this year that had stuff like giftbags and costumes and the whole shebang. I am not good with shebangs, especially when it comes to the younger set. No experience on that front, but I don’t want to mess up my kid’s day, either. I’m thinking just a few kids, a princess cake, and maybe some way of sending everyone home with something without going overboard. I mean, I certainly don’t want to go all Real Housewives and blow the bank. But I don’t want to scrimp either. So if you’re a parent and have great insight into this subject—anyone?—leave a comment. I will be most grateful! One thing for sure: I will NOT wear my white dress. Life is too short to be that stupid.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
I’m not a parent, but my mom has taught preschool for over 20 years and she says the ideal is no more guests than the age the kid is turning. So, 5 max, in this case. Just for a starting point.
Also, I’m sure you already know this but if you’re trying to decide on venue, the Museum of Life & Science in Durham is AWESOME!
I totally agree with the number of kids–things can get very squirrely and hard to manage with more than 5 five-year-olds! Simple is always better and just as much fun. And those goody bags can get so out of hand! One year, I just bought something half-way-decent, yet inexpensive–bracelets, I think, for each guest and everyone was thrilled.
Sarah–
As a parent of a five-year-old (as of July), we did a party at the local children’s museum in the underwater-themed room. I used Oriental Trading to buy about $60 worth of pirate treasure chest gift boxes, ocean stickers, ocean stamps, ocean puzzles, ocean sun catchers, etc., for 12 children (the size of her preschool class).
Have fun with it!
-Susan
Our third child just turned five… I have always preferred parties at places like Pump It Up or Bounce U where there is a really fun activity happening… and then cake and done! Easy peasy. If you invite 10 or less kids, it is usually under $100.
I agree with the above about Pump It Up if there’s one near you (I looked it up and there’s one in Raeleigh). I work at one and 5 is a good age for there. It’s a really fun place with a couple bounce houses.
I had a princess themed birthday party when I was around your daughter’s age. I remember my mom made the invitations look like a scroll one would receive as an invitation to the ball in Cinderella.
Hey, Sarah! I love your books so much! But, to return to my purpose in posting here today – I volunteer at my local library and crafts always draw a ton of attention from the younger set. If you do something simple that you can put together out of several pieces (no more than 10 pieces) and then decorate, I’m sure your daughter and her friends will love it! It’s fun, easy, and definately worthwhile!
Look on Pinterest! I’m sure you’ll find a ton of ideas there.
My mom always had little games for us to play and everyone got a prize after playing. I would decorate the paper bags before the party that my friends would use to hold their prizes. We played all the classics- pin the tail on the donkey, the race where you balance a potato on a spoon, relay races, limbo, etc. Everyone always had a great time!
PS- I am a HUGE fan. I discovered your books 2 years ago and finally have all of your books! I LOVE them! You’re my favorite author!
One of the coolest party favors my son got from a birthday party was a CD of the birthday girl’s favorite songs. It included some Beatles hits, a couple of kid classics like Puff the Magic Dragon, and some Disney songs. You seem to really appreciate music, if your daughter does too, this is cool and thoughtful gift to give. A little time consuming, but worth it.
Hey. I’m a nanny/babysitter, and I’ve seen my fair share of kid parties so here’s what I’ve learned.
As far as “favors” go for a princess theme, here’s make your own crowns from Oriental Trading.
http://www.orientaltrading.com/fabulous-foam-princess-crowns-a2-57_2412-12-1.fltr?Ntt=princess
Comes with everything you need, glue, decorations, glitter, etc. Little girls love that stuff, and they’ll like it just as much or more than any bought favors. I went to a “moon” themed party where the mom had them make telescopes with paper towel rolls, markers and star stickers and the four and five year old girls played with them for WEEKS.
Although, if you do a restaurant like Chuck E. Cheese or place like Pump it Up that doesn’t have private rooms/area away from the play area, I wouldn’t even bother with that kind of favor WAY too hectic. As a person who has hosted and been to parties like that, really trying to make the kids do anything besides what they’re there for is impossible.They just want to jump on the inflatables/games if they can see them. Just go to Dollar Tree and get plastic tiaras, or Princess themed grab bags. So much easier. If you want to get really cute, get pink sandwich bags or those little cartons, write each girl’s name on them, stick in some play make-up (nothing too messy less you get the mean eye from the other moms). They make some cheap play make up with the princesses on them. Lip gloss, and tiny jars of the play nail polish are the best ones.
If you have a private party room like in a museum, do the crown as the favor. Although, some museums will have a craft you can do. I helped host one at a science museum and they did “make your own bouncy balls” with the kids. Very fun. We let that be the favor that year, since those little baggies of stuff just get thrown away and broken in a few hours.
I wouldn’t plan too much because most places only let you have those tables/rooms for a certain amount of time. I think when we did the children museum it was like an hour, and after calculating out people getting there, and cake, and opening presents, and just general kid wrangling, you’re left with 30 minutes.
Don’t over stress or over plan. Just have fun with it!
I have a birthday coming up too this week!!! Although I am going to be seventeen (hello license
) so parties are kinda over for me. But one year my mom made a piñata for my party and had cute goodie bags for the kids to put their candy in. Simple and fun for a party favor.
Hi Sarah,
I am a huge fan of your books. But I do have some ideas for your birthday party problem I planed and help run multiple parties (about 2 per years still for my younger sisters) and we always do home parties work great if your worried about controlling kids ask some of your girlfriends to help out (and if it’s the renovations your worried about have it outside on a nice day) why pay to have your party some where when you can have it at your house. When my sisters were that age we invited their whole class that way no one felt left out. Also if we are ever stuck for games favors or anything else party related we go to http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/party_ideas.html
big list of party ideas.
We also use the same game year after year just tweaking them to fit the theme one of our favorites is Doggie, Doggie Who Stole your Bone? If you want to change for a princess party you could do Princess, Princess Who Stole Your Tiara? For the game the children sit on the floor in a circle one child goes into the middle and bends over covering their eyes then you chose one child to steal the Tiara in this case then everyone puts their hands behind their back and the person in the middle has 3 guesses to figure out who took their Tiara. If the person in the middle guesses correctly then the person who took it goes into the middle and the game starts again with someone new taking the Tiara. If the person in the middle does not get the person who took the Tiara the the person reveals themselves and the they go into the middle and the game starts over again.
Good games for little kids are one were they are kept busy it give other adults time to set up more games, craft and get ready for cake
Then just do cake and presents (if you want) and a far as favors go I would do like a lip gloss, a little tiara and some other little thing that is princess themed (Dollar stores work REALLY well for finding favors)
Hope this helps
Hannah
I recently read Gone Girl at the recommendation of a friend, and I am so glad I did. It was definitely the best, most unique book I’ve read in awhile.
Sarah,
I just want to say your books are amazing. I reccomend them all the time to my friend and recently I reccomended Lock and Key to my friend for her birthday. Keep writing!
From,
Emily
I’m really glad to hear that you are writing another book! I was worried that you fell off the radar. You can count on me to read this one! (:
I review YA books of any kind at my blog here: http://beachkissedyabooks.blogspot.com/
It would be great it you could check it out (:
Hi Sarah! First, I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your books! I have read them all and I re-read them all the time. I recomend your books to everyone I know. Your writing is absolutely amazing. And your books really pull me in; I feel like i’m in another world. Your writing is so deep and detailed that whenever any of the charactors feel pain, I feel it too. I am SO happy that your making another book! I can not wait!! I was getting worried because after I finished all your books, I had no clue what else to read. I have to say, after reading your books, no other author even compares to you. You completly grasp the mind of a teenager and it makes it so much more fun to read! I encourage you to write a ton more! I know a lot of girls that love your writing as well. I am a young teenager and this is my first time commenting. I really just wanted to reach out to you and tell you how much you have changed my life. After reading a couple books I really took a change on looking at the world differently. I am now a happier person and people say they have noticed a change in me. So anway, your my idol and I hope to be as talented as you when I grow up! Keep writing!!