While it was very confusing to many that the girls did not “share” the Annual Birthday Party, it is because this is the year Sara turns 7.  SEVEN is a very famous age at Casa Del Us: the year Slumber Parties are allowed.  Sara has been ruminating on this delicious rite of passage for at least 6 months.  Her birthday slumber party is very, very tiny, because starting small is critical to a successful night, so I’ve heard.  Just her 2 closest pals (and reportedly the 2 that stuck tight to her side today when a large group of kids from last year’s class cornered her on the playground and started pounding her with questions about her current situation…so she chose her friends well), and cousin Avery.  Needless to say, this slumber party is coming at the right time: just when she might need a night in with girlfriends, popcorn, swimming, movies, and giggles.  Hearing about her day today made my heart break in two, but because I was once a kid who survived much worse at the hands of bullies, I can say with certainty these are the days that make us who we are.  I’m a much better person for the tough roads I’ve traveled.  And in all honesty, knowing her gang, I think they meant well.  I think in their 7 year old way, they just wanted to know straight from Sara what the heck happened, and why was she gone?  Please God Please, make these next few weeks go by quickly.

I had plans for a round, sleek invite that read “Slumber Party” in hot pink and black, but Sara and Kelly soundly defeated that idea.  Sara wanted me to make this teddy bear into an invitation instead.

Sara: Don’t you think this teddy bear is much cooler Mommy? It’s way more teenager-y, don’t you think?

Mommy: (Sorry…I just can’t lie) Well…um…Sara…hmm.  First, I really, really like the teddy bear.  I think it’s just perfect for your party.  And while I don’t think it’s exactly teenager-y, I do think it’s totally big kid.  I think with the colors, it’s the perfect cross between kids who aren’t teenagers yet, but who are definitely growing up.  You still like your stuffed animals, but you’re SO not a baby anymore.  You’re just kind of…you know…in between things right now.

Sara: YES!  That’s exactly what I was saying.

Mommy: Great.  We’ll put all the words printed in black on light pink paper on the back.  It will be so cool.

Sara: I LOVE IT!  It’s so totally awesome cool Mommy.

(P.S. I used Papyrus font, because it always seems to fit my invite mood, and wrote a fun invite for movies and late night giggles.  The rest of the invite was made using the Rock N Roll PJ Party Cricut Cartridge. Taped it right to the back; the whole set of 3 invites probably took me less than 30 minutes.  I’m LOVING this big kid party thing so far.)