Ian will be eight years old in twenty-seven days. Yesterday he told me he wants to have a Star Wars party. I have less than a month to make this a party he will never forget. Dear, God, what have I agreed to?!
Ian wants to have an R2D2 cake. Since I don't do store-bought cakes unless my arms are broken, this is going to be the biggest challenge of the day. Naturally, I went to the net to get some ideas and was surprised to find some excellent prototypes out there. Mine, of course, will not look anything like those because every cake I make has to be different from the original. I don't like being a copy cat; but being inspired by others' ideas is o.k.
Ian also wants to play "Pin the Light Saber on Obi Wan Kenobi". I don't mind including this game in the party, except that it will require me to manufacture the entire set of playing pieces and a semi-life sized Obi Wan "pin up". The labor isn't really the issue; I just wonder if 7 and 8 year-old boys are really going to enjoy pinning paper light sabers on a Jedi. Will they understand the jokes their fathers will be making at the back of the room? It could result in some questions I am not ready to answer at my son's birthday party.
After searching for several hours for party ideas on Google, I found some stellar suggestions, most of which require about 3 months of prep time. Did I mention I have 27 days?
It is important to make this a REALLY spectacular birthday for Ian for many reasons. First, he is at that age where birthday parties are as important as the presents. This is a big turning point, because last year the gifts still outranked the party by about 3.5 percent. After this year, the gifts start counting less and the coolness of the event determines one's social status for the next 364 days and continues for about 3 years after that. Then parties are uncool, at least for boys. The way I see it, Ian is two-thirds of the way through his birthday party years. I have to make the most of this while I can because soon he won't want to spend his birthday with me any more. I'll be left at home with Steve and Ainsley, remembering the night I pushed that enormous head out of my body and nearly splattered my eyeballs on the wall across the room from all the pressure. And if that kid comes home late on his 13th birthday, by God, he will be SO grounded!
But I digress.
Second, it is important because he is starting to expand his interests. It is a relief that we are not having a third Thomas the Tank Engine party. I just can't make that cake one more time. With the Star Wars theme, he is opening himself up to new possibilities, even if it means entering new, scary territory. Ian has even taken some initiative in the party planning by expressing his preferences on decorations, types of drinks, and the time of day to host the event. These are all things he has wanted me handle in the past, and I must say that I am pleased he is taking on a proactive role here. Ultimately, he may throw it all into my lap, and that's o.k. too. I'll be thrilled if he is still excited and involved next week at this time.
Third, in order to expand his circle of friends, he must be interested in the things that all boys his age like. Star Wars definitely puts him on the radar. Granted, there are other, more up-to-date movies he could be obsessed with; but this one is a classic - especially for Aspies! It puts him in line for some really kick-ass Lego sets, too. (Like we need more teensy-tinsy plastic pieces laying all over the house.) And that spells quality time with Dad as well as great play dates.
So it's just about 26 days now until the Rebel Alliance unleashes the Force on my house. Will Mom survive? Watch the countdown continue. . .
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