It was a birthday party, but happened to fall on Halloween
It just so happens that my son number 2 has his birthday on November 1st, the day after Halloween. A couple of years ago he wanted a sleepover party for his 13th but the only day that really worked was the Friday, which also happened to be Halloween. Not really that big of a deal given that Australia really doesn't do Halloween to the ridiculous level of North America. At best a couple of kids meander around, many not even in costumes banging on complete strangers' doors and asking for sweets. Strange concept, I'm not a big fan.
So anyway, a bunch of Owen's teenager friends show up, with about 10 of them staying over. Preparations are sorted, typical kids party, a bunch of food like mini sausage rolls, pies, pizzas and other individual servings of crap that go in the oven. There are crisps/chips, lollies, chocolate. Kids have bought sleeping bags etc, so we're ready to go.
It starts to get dark, I notice it's a bit windy outside, they ask if they can go out 'Trick or Treating'. Sure why not. Be polite, be mindful of older people who may feel intimidated by a gang of teenagers expecting handouts on their porch, and behave around other families and children who might also be out. They go out, I put the oven on so I can start loading the many trays of food sitting on the bench, and enjoy a bit of peace before they come back to make lots of noise and mess.
And then it went downhill from there...
A couple of 'Trick or Treaters' knock on my door, I throw some sweets at them, notice it's no longer windy. It's WINDY and a big storm has decided to hit. I go outside, people are running around, trees and branches are falling, lighting is striking you get the idea. I'm a bit worried about the kids, but they come tearing down the road and tumble into the house manically. They tell me about nearly being hit by a falling tree and shit flying everywhere. As we're reeling from that, loud bang and power goes out.
Yeah, Now Reality Sets In
It's fair to say I wasn't quite prepared for this. I have half cooked food in the oven and a load more defrosted on the bench, and the oven has stopped because of power. So now there's no food except chips and sweets. Plans for xbox competitions and a movie are starting to look slim unless the power comes on soon (it doesn't). It's now pitch black in the house, I've got four tea light candles which barely dent the darkness and everyone is using their phone torches unsuccessfully to try and play a board game.
My own phone battery dies, so I leave it charging in the car, engine running in the garage with the door open. Decide we might make a mercy dash to Maccas for some food. I bundle 4 kids into the car. We drive down the road and decide it's way too dangerous to drive in the conditions so go back home. And that was the party. Memorable, a little fun and exciting, but still a disaster. The power was out for 2 days, so I had to throw half the food in the fridge away.
Although, these circumstances were a perfect storm of problems, the parties I throw usually go off without a hitch. If you need ideas for children's birthday parties from babies up to teenagers then check out my article here:
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