End of the year fiesta

Last night I invited all 40 of my kids (K-8th) and their families to our local park, Matter Park, for an end-of-the-year fiesta. I asked the parents to chip in and bring either a main course or a side and dessert; I would provide drinks and paper goods. But, being the planner that I am, a few days before-hand, I decided to pick up a few extras, just in case...(chips, desserts, prizes, coloring stuff, playdough, facepaint, chips and salsa from MI PUEBLO...) and then as the time drew nearer I wondered if I had everything...so I called a friend and asked him to pick me up some ice, a ball, and to bring corn hole...) Then I wondered if anyone would bring a main course because I had heard back from several of my kids that their parents were planning on bringing a dessert...so a few hours before the main event I called the (new) roommate, Jess and asked if she had any CHEAP ideas for a main course...she suggested nachos (with meat!). I thought that was a fabulous idea and so off to Walmart I sped again. And while I was there I kept thinking I should pickup a pinata because that would just be so darn fun, but then I thought (even more strongly) that I was already over-budget and just really didn't want to spend any more money. So I got home and began unpacking my loot and told Jess what the plan was and that I had really wanted this pinata...and then she's like--hold on--did you see this?? And she whips out this AMAZING ADORABLE pinata! And it's already filled. Wow, I was SO grateful.

So with my meat cooked and my car filled to the brim with goodies (add 5 hulas to the mix, please!) I drove off to the Park, eager to see who would turn up.

Unloading my car alone in 100 degree weather was a sight to be held, for sure. But as the time approached I quickly forgot my sweatiness (another sight to be held) and smiled as the first car drove up. It was four of my kids--yes! And then, another car, with two of my guy friends who had offered to be male presence to this gang and I was so grateful (and later another friend would show up and be an incredible taxi car driver as well as the best program director around town--organizing kickball for 20 or so kids by himself...). Then more, and more, and more. I think by 7pm we had close to 40 people. Wow!

We ate (95% desserts and 5% main course--4% of it my mega nachos and 1% a family's spghetti dish) and then it was one thing to the next...and I just couldn't stop smiling. THIS, I thought. THIS is why I love my job. These kids are AMAZING.