Conference moira::parenting_v3

    Funny you should ask - we're having a late Halloween party that same
    afternoon for some younger kids.  My plans are to make the food rather
    seasonal (pumpkin bread and apple cider, maybe?  although I've never made
    pumpkin bread before, so it might be banana bread instead.)  I would
    imagine that cheese and crackers or raw vegetables would also work out
    fine for food.  What I do with the cider is just dump some in a large
    pan, add some spices (cinnamon sticks, cloves), and heat it gently on the
    stove.

    If I were having that many people over, I'd be worried about where they
    would all fit!  You must have an enormous house.  Have a great time!

							cheryl

    If it's a Halloween party, I can offer some ideas, from a grade school
    carnival I went to this weekend.
    
    If you have a plastic playhouse, hang donuts in the windows and
    doorways, and have the kids eat them off with no hands.
    
    If you have a plastic sandbox (empty :-), fill it with packing
    "peanuts", cover with a sheet with holes cut out of it, and have the
    kids put their hands in to search for treasure (you'll have to stock it
    with little prizes).
    
    Get some small gourds/pumpkins (perhaps cheaper after Halloween
    proper), glue, markers, ribbons, fabric and small pompoms, and have the
    kids decorate one each to take home.
    
    Make a witch face and put on the wall. Put pieces of velcro on her
    face. Put corresponding velcro on small styrofoam balls, and the kids
    can throw them at the witch face to put "warts" on her face.
    
    

    Sunday must be party day!  We're having our families over
    for Steven's 1st birthday party.
    
    I am TRYING to keep it simple...we're having homemade pizza,
    make your own tacos and a cold cut platter.  Some of the 
    appetizers we'll have are assorted dips (jalepeno, veggie,
    garlic and herb), pepperoni and onion breads to name a few.
    
    I'll hide plastic eggs around the yard and the kids will be
    given a certain color egg to find.  This way the 3 yr old can
    gather as many eggs as the 8 yr old.
    
    I hear that there may be a return to Indian Summer this weekend
    (in Mass.) so the weather should be in our favor!
    
    Good luck!
    Linda

    Some food ideas...
    
    Cold cut platters so the kids and parents can make whatever they like -
    	this also helps is the kids are playing and parents want to make
    	sure they eat something - a kid handed a rolled up slice of cheese
    	can eat it quickly and return to playing. You're pretty same that
    	all kids will eat a sandwich and their mother's get to make them up
    	for them
    
    Maybe those little finger rolls if you want to premake the food
    
    Brownies, cookies, etc for dessert
    
    Put out some "nibble food" like chips, pretzles, veggies, etc.
    
    Maybe put out a fruit bowl so kids can take an apple, or something
    
    Keep it simple!!!!! Paper plates, cups and napkins, disposable forks and
    	knives are a must!!
    
    As for games, I personally wouldn't worry about planning the entire
    time. You want to socialize with the adults not play cruise director at
    this party. I like the 2 games mention (eggs and sand box). I would
    maybe only plan 2 games and leave it at that. These kids know each
    other so don't worry too much about them getting along. Make your
    child's toys available but watch out for things like 1 bike and 10 kids
    wanting it!! You can always rent a pony!!!
    
    Have a good time. If it is nice out, sending kids outside will mean
    less of a mess for you to clean up.

    Gale (.0),
    
    I think you should get a bus and take everyone to Cheryl's (.1) house -
    she's all set for a party and what difference will it make to have
    another few dozen people?
    
    Otherwise, I'd suggest food that keeps kids (adults too?) busy, like
    make-your-own anything, and activities that you can set up and let them
    go.  
    
    At one party the kids made placemats and we covered them (both
    sides) with clear contact paper.  Kindergarten is a good age to just
    put out tons of supplies and let them go: crayons, markers, stencils,
    stickers, etc.  You could get the parents to pitch in on the covering
    part: put an example on the wall. 
    
    If the weather is good, you could do an outside scavenger hunt and
    include things the parents might have on them: a pencil, a safety pin,
    CASH (this could be fun!).  If you're interested, I'll help you make a
    list.
    
    It seems to me that you should count on including the parents in
    everything.  With this many people, you can't afford to be running
    parallel parties, with two sets of food.  In other words, it can't be
    the kind of party where the parents relax and get to know each other
    well while the children are busy doing something else - unless you plan
    on hiring help.
    
    Have a blast,
    
    Jane

    
    .0 >  Does anyone have any good ideas? 
    
    Hmmmm, let's see. 18 kindergarteners, siblings, parents, teachers . . .
    The best idea I can come up with is to leave town, quick.

    OK, as JaneB suggests, I've decided to move my party to Cheryl's (.1)
    house!
    
    Thanks for the great ideas!
    
    Gale

    Gale,
	We've got plenty of space outdoors (4 acres), so you are welcome to
	bring your party here as long as you also bring lots of food!  I ain't
	cookin' for 150 people (or however many it was that you were
	inviting).  :)
	If it rains, bring raincoats and waterproof food...

	cheryl