It’s funny how you grow up and all the sudden realize you are turning into your mom.

Growing up my mom had a children’s Christmas party every year.  She would invite all of the little children in the neighborhood over to our house while the older kids were in school.  Her goal was to give the parents a day to work on Christmas stuff without the kids around.  When we were older she would let us stay home from school and help her.  There were sometimes a lot of kids and I’m sure she needed all the help she could get.

When these children came over they didn’t just play.  My mom always had all sorts of projects for them to do or treats for them to make.  I’ve made quite a few pine cone/peanut butter bird feeders in my day.

The last few years I’ve thought about having one of these parties but talked myself out of it because it seemed too overwhelming.  This year I realized that I could have the party for a few people.  I invited 5 friends to bring their children over for the day.  It was so much fun.  I spent the day being chased by a shark, making sugar cones into Christmas trees, reading books, and making 7 PBJ’s for lunch.  I also fell in love with a few children that turned out to be so fun to have in my home.  Although I know I shouldn’t be, I’m surprised at how much I benefited from the experience.

I’m glad that I was able to take a good idea and turn it into something that works for me at this stage of life.  I don’t always see things that way.  And I’m glad that I have a great mom who may not be so bad to turn into after all.