My son turns eleven tomorrow – hold on…
Sorry about that – and we’re throwing him a small party. I’m not sure if party is even the right word. He’s having two friends over for a sleepover that will mostly involve video games and eating food.
The hardest part of planning this party is reminding myself I don’t really have anything to plan other than buying enough food for 3 tweenage boys.
I’m not saying I have a record for throwing amazing, Pinterest-worthy birthday parties. ‘Cause no. But I do enjoy running with a good theme and picking out a corresponding menu and party favors, paper goods, etc.
Some moments from the highlight reel of MM’s birthday parties past:
The 5th Birthday Race Car Dinosaur Party. He really put us through our paces that year but with a minimalist bent, I pulled it off. This was his first birthday party in our current house and we made full use of our gigantic back yard.
The 7th Birthday Little Big Planet Party. In which he helped me make his birthday cake using a recipe that apparently all French children learn to bake cakes with. Which we then decorated with blue and green frosting in an attempt to make it look sort of like Earth. The kids made their own Sackboys and played lots of video games.
The 8th Birthday Doctor Who Party. Which I might have been more excited about than anyone else. I worked magic on invitations, I made TARDIS goodie bags and bought blue everything.
But now he’s turning Eleven.
No, not that kind Eleven. Just the oh so grown up, this doesn’t really include you mom kind of Eleven. This year there is no theme except “we will play video games as late as humanly possible and maybe watch a movie and I want cake.” Hopefully I’m allowed in the room for some of it.
Here are my ingredients for a sleepover for eleven year old boys:
- Walking tacos – small bags of Doritos with taco fixings tossed on top and a salad so I feel like a mother.
- The most chocolatey of chocolate cakes – and I might put cherry pie filling between the cake layers because I’m craving cherries.
- My step mom’s rotel cheese dip – with tortilla chips and probably some salsa, too.
- Paper plates and napkins – actual color / pattern to be determined aka doesn’t matter.
- Video games, movies, board games, sleeping bags, go away mom.
PS: I’m linking up with Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop today. One of her prompts this week was a post inspired by the word party and well… yeah. Let me know if you are playing along on your blog. It’s a lot of fun and there are multiple writing prompts to choose from so even if you don’t have parties on the brain, she can hook you up.
Mommablogsalot 
11 responses to “UN-Planning an 11th Birthday Party.”
This sounds amazing. Can I come to the sleepover???
LikeLike
You bring the wine!
LikeLike
Okay, I’m loving the Doctor Who theme of your post. I swear it’s a mating call for friends. And the whole Stranger Things match-up was amazing! You should definitely add fish-fingers and custard to your menu plans!
LikeLike
Honestly it kind of is a mating call for friends! I think fandoms help you find your tribe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you have planned the absolute perfect party for 11 yr old boys. Hope maybe just a little sleep happens too…for everyone’s sake!
LikeLike
You’re brave to host a sleepover party! At least it’s only two guests. I let my son have a sleepover party when he turned 15 (I think it was 15). It was about 10 kids and one of them had a driver’s license. When the kids can drive themselves, it’s time to stop having sleepover parties. Love the Walking Tacos idea!
LikeLike
I don’t think I could handle 10 kids! You are brave!
LikeLike
I love your creativity and you simplicity on this. There’s also something cool about a kid with an armful of Eggos.
LikeLike
Sounds like a good time to me. Kids don’t need a ton of entertainment they tend to find that all on their own.
LikeLike
I’d say you’re well-prepared for this one. Might want to cover everything in plastic, because 11yo boys tend to spill a lot…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good point! Lol
LikeLike