Monday, January 11, 2010

NOW things can get back to normal around here

I had one last thing to take care of after the holidays - Nick's 6th birthday party. I love planning and preparing for his birthday parties but this year we really struggled to get guests. He goes to school with an entire different group of students than he did when he was in daycare and preschool and apparently these kids aren't much into parties or RSVPing. 14 invites received absolutely no response. 5 children who's parents said they were coming didn't show up.

I don't understand the lack of interest to be honest. Those who did come had a great time. They had an entire gymnasium to themselves (at the local YMCA):



They had an assortment of balls and jump ropes to play with (and balloons!). They ran around until they were red in the face.

After an hour in the gym, we moved on to a party room. I fed them pizza, snacks, veggies and dip. We played games (well, one game - they were too keyed up to get through the second game.)

Then we had cake and cupcakes (with ice cream):





The birthday boy opened his presents then sent his friends home with goodie bags. I pity the kids who missed out on the fun.

I made my favorite chocolate cake recipe for the cake and turned to Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix for the cupcakes.

Question of the Day: What does RSVP mean to you?

13 comments:

Unknown said...

This is one of my biggest pet peeves! RSVP = RESPOND Please (or répondez s'il vous plaît, if you prefer the original French). How rude to either not rsvp, or to say they will attend and then blow it off without a word otherwise. I am glad your son had a nice party, despite some inconsiderate parents out there.

MommyProf said...

I think that is a problem with school-agers everywhere, and it drives me CRAZY!

Ash said...

WOW!!!! Lovely cake & muffins to match.... I'm vulnerable...that is the effect these pics had on me.... Yummy... Truly!!!!

Ash....
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

Anonymous said...

Oooooh !! Don't get me started. The situation of not answering an RSVP has for many years infurated me (and my daughter) when giving parties for my granddaughters. Are people just too stupid or are they just inconsiderate?? When a hostess is planning the food and goody bags, etc., it matters money-wise and time-wise to know how many to provide for. You can be assured that we always respond to their invitations and, like you say, "What child wouldn't want to go to a party?" I can see if it doesn't fit into the family schedule, but for heaven's sake, just let us know. After enough time has elapsed, my daughter will call the (possible) guests' parents (if she knows their number)and ask them for a response.

Sorry for the rant. Glad your little guy had a good time anyway.

Jan

KatiePerk said...

I know exactly what you mean! We are throwing a party for about 60 people in 2 weeks and 4 people have RSVP'd. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO PLAN AROUND THAT? Ugh.

KatiePerk said...

I know exactly what you mean! We are throwing a party for about 60 people in 2 weeks and 4 people have RSVP'd. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO PLAN AROUND THAT? Ugh.

Janet said...

I don't understand the lack of responding to RSVPs either. I do see a correlation that most people who comment on your blog also would RSVP.

I do have a question for you that I don't see an answer to from searching your blog. Which Cuisinart Griddler to do you have? After reading all your recipes that use it, I would like to get one. Coscto warehousees currently have the " Griddler Gourmet" for $70 but from the Amazon reviews, not everyone seems to like this one. The more popular one on Amazon seems to be the "GR-4" model. Thanks!

links:
Gourmet Griddler
GR-4

The Cookbook Junkie said...

Janet, I really don't know which one I have. Those both look the same to me. As far as I know there was only one model when my husband bought this one for me, about 2 years ago.

As much as I love it, I had to send the first one back and now the replacement sometimes seems a bit 'off' (running too hot or not hot enough and sometimes it's hard to get it started). For the cost, this should have been made much better than it was.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to know that I am not the only parent out there who has a problem with getting parties together!! I gave up on it several years ago actually! Now my son just hand picks a special few and they get to do something "extra special"- that I wouldn't be able to afford if I were having to pay for a party, goodies and the like. This year (he turned 10 last Monday) he and his 3 besties went to a restaurant that had a bowling alley, laser tag and video games.
Love the Vader cake and cuppies!
Sorry about your struggle with the whole RSVP thing- it's like an epidemic of rudeness is plagueing the country. How hard is a phone call?!

Annie Jones said...

I've blogged about this before, stating how inconsiderate I think it is for people to not send an RSVP anytime they receive an invitation. It's near the top of my list of pet peeves.

I do want to say that I've noticed birthday parties in general are way down this year. Last year, when Kat was in Kindergarten, she was invited to approximately one party a month during the school year. This year, she hasn't been invited to any. I suspect parents just aren't having them this year, and we've already decided we aren't having on for Kat, either.

BTW...those cupcakes are adorable!

tamilyn said...

It means you call or email and tell them either yes or no. Sorry-this is a pet peeve for me too and has happened to us on more than one occasion.

Glad it was a fun party for him with the everyone that was able to come. And great idea for having it at the Y-room to run, jump and play. And you don't have to clean before or after!

Chef Aimee said...

I am a huge STAR WARS fan and love love love love love how you decorated those cupcakes! Well done, Paula! :)

Mrs. L said...

RVSP means to RESPOND..with a yes or a no before the required deadline. If you don't know if you can make it then respond "no" and sit the event out even if at the last minute you find you CAN go. Sigh.
And those cupcakes are too cute! Heck, I bet the ones that missed the party are very jealous!