Sociological Experiment, a.k.a. a Kid’s Birthday Party

Over the weekend we held a sociological experiment at our house. Most people would refer to it as a kid’s birthday party. We invited a dozen 3- to 6-year-olds to spend a few hours at our place, celebrating Jonas’ fifth birthday. It was an interesting two hours.

First let me say that while I am an organized person, I am not a highly-detailed, schedule-a-shin-dig-down-to-the-minute type of gal. Instead, I like to invite people over, have a few ideas of what to do and let the party evolve more organically. So, we planned a few activities, such as bowling, balloon tennis and face painting. We even called in my father-in-law to create balloon animals for the kids. But, within the first few minutes of the party, I realized organic evolution when left to the devises of half-a-dozen young boys will result in mayhem that I hadn’t previously considered.

It all began with the balloon animals. As my father-in-law attempted to show off his talents, the boys eagerly waited for him to inflate and tie off a balloon. Before even having a chance to shape it, they would quickly ask, “Can I have it just like that?” What the boys had discovered is that a balloon bat that you can hit one another with is much more exciting than a dog, giraffe or other such creation.

As the boys tussled in the front room, I suddenly realized that the six girls attending the party were all huddled around the face painting table. They closely watched each new paint creation come to fruition. They stood quietly and watched intently…even amidst the calls of battle emerging from the front room.

And thus, I learned a few things:

1. Boys and girls are in fact different.
2. When in the presence of other rowdy boys, my typically reserved son can suddenly resemble someone straight out of the WWF.  
3. Having a husband who isn’t afraid to supervise and redirect is priceless.
   Focused offerings can help squelch the tendency for impromptu wrestling matches.  
4. It may have been loud, it may have been crazy, but the kids enjoyed themselves.  
5. I’d do it all over again.

Next year we’ll probably have another party and it will probably be rowdier than I prefer. But, it’s just a few hours, one day a year. And in the end, it’s not about me. It’s about letting Jonas cut loose and have a blast as he celebrates another year. Let’s just hope he chooses to invite those calm and quiet girls again next year.