How to Throw a Party For a Penny: My First Attempt

Since my husband became the unofficial choir director at our church, we, as a family had to accept the fact the Friday nights will hold no big significance at our house. There'll be no movie going or entertaining guests, or going out to dinner, or just plain old sitting together, doing nothing and starring at the wall while contemplating about the previous week. Not that we did a lot of that before, but at least there was that option. Now take my husband being gone and my kids banished (by me) from my parents' house for not behaving themselves and we get a mama who has the urge to do something or to go somewhere on a Friday night but whose options are truly limited. .

"So, where are WE going to go?" asked my daughter as she watched my husband leave around 7pm.

Well, the place would have to be free, open late in the evening, and accepting of feverish babies, I thought to my self.

My thinking was interrupted by the realization that my husband took the van. Home it was. Now, what is a non-crafty, non-baking, anti-television mom to entertain her kids with on a day when she just feels like crashing for a nap? There is only one obvious answer..to throw a party! I told the kids that after I am done cleaning up the kitchen we will have a dance party, then we will have a painting party and after that we will have a book reading party and go to bed.

"How about it, kids?" I asked with eyes and mouth wide open. My proposal was answered with a weak "Yea..." from one of my kids. I think this might have to do with the fact that the only new word in the activities listed above was "party". Apparently, this did not help to hype things up as much as I thought it would.

So, the partying began with kids painting with water colors and jumping/dancing to one of their favorite CDs. I soon had to take myself to the "bleachers" as the 35 pound baby wanted me to hold him while I dance which only showed his unconditional love for his mama who is very much out of shape right now. After about 15 minutes of this, no one protested when I escorted them upstairs to get ready for bed. After the two of my youngest finally fell asleep, there was one more party to throw. It was the nail painting party that I promised my daughter. After a nice, hot foot soak (I have forgotten how great this feels!), I put some lotion on my daughter's feet and massaged them for a bit. I then beautified her nails with a bright red nail polished that she chose and put her to bed. She liked it a lot and this allowed for a little daughter-mother bonding time which we seem to rarely get now. The partying was officially over.

Though our celebration was not without occasional spurts of party poopers (sleepy, tired kid + sick baby), the evening flew by without tube time and costing any money. I want to be more intentional next time and plan ahead. Some ideas I have for next time are: making a picture collage (either digital or with prints), doing some baking, face painting and having a real tea party. Do you have any other ideas for me? What do you do to entertain your little ones when stuck at home? Please do share!