Molly Parties ‘Til the Cows Come Home

And apparently cows don’t come home until really, really late.

Last Saturday, Molly attended not one, but two Holiday Parties. She was beyond excited and said, “Mom, this is the best day ever! Two parties in the same day. Can you believe it, Mom? I can’t believe it. Two Parties! Wow!”

Yeah, I’d say she was excited.

Party Number One was hosted by our Family With Children From China Group. We love our group so much that we just can’t break ties with them even though they are now two hours away.

Molly is not usually too hip on 4 hour round-trip car rides, but for this party she eagerly made the exception. I didn’t hear one “Are we there yet?” going either direction.

The party was nonstop fun for Molly. She disappeared as soon as we entered the door. There were old friends to see like….

Mia!

and Avery!

There was also a very special guest: Grace Lin, author of Chinese themed children's books, of which we already own several.That didn’t stop me from buying a few more and having them autographed. How cool!

The girls played, played, played in their fancy dresses and then took a break to consume a plate full of doughnut holes.This picture cracks me up because all three girls have a doughnut hole in their cheek. They’re trying to smile like nothing is out of the ordinary.

After getting a proper sugar buzz on, there were crafts.

And more time with friends. Oh how I love these girlies!

But the highlight of the party was the arrival of Santa.

My friends and I were creative. Okay, we were sneaky. And cunning.  We snuck casually walked from the back of the room to the front of the room and positioned ourselves near the stage. Then, while nobody was watching or paying attention, we started the line for Santa. 

Oh yes we did.

No long lines and cranky kids for us!

So anyway, Molly was the second kid to talk to Santa. He was fresh, patient, and listened to every.single.thing. that was on Molly’s list.

And apparently her list was long, because she was talking to him for a long time.

Finally she was done, the two of them looked up so I could snap the Santa Picture. And I didn’t even have to go to the mall this year. Score!

Soon after Molly’s chat with Santa, it was time to get back in the car and head home because it was time for party number 2!

Party #2 was a special party hosted by my friend Susanne, Max’s mom.

The party started out with the reading of a Christmas story by the mother of another guest. She’s a former school teacher and a great storyteller. She had the kids entranced.Soon after the story, a very special guest arrived……

St. Nicholas!!!!St Nicholas came in and sat down with the kids. Then he talked to each child individually. He told each one of them what he/she did this year that made him proud. Each child had their very own list of personalized compliments from St. Nick.

He was proud of Molly for handling all of the changes in her life this year with such grace. New house, new school, new friends, baby brother on the way. He was also proud that she was learning to read, write, add and subtract.  After recognizing each child, he called them up and each received chocolates, a very special gift,and a hug.

Then St. Nick left the way he came.It was an amazing experience. The kids were mesmerized. I don’t remember any parties like this when I was young!

After St. Nick’s departure, the kids opened their gifts.

Molly got a puzzle. How did St. Nicholas know that Molly LOVES puzzles?

Next was a yummy dinner for the kids: Chicken nuggets, tater tots and watermelon. Doesn’t get any better than that, if you’re 5.The kids finished up and retired to the family room to watch Rudolph, while to grownups ate dinner. It suffices to say that our dinner was a bit more extravagant and delicious than nuggets and tots.

Just sayin’.

It was actually so yummy that I was too busy eating to take pictures.

When the evening ended Molly had been partying for 12 straight hours.

And told me again that this was the best day ever!