Chapter 2: Food, Decorations, Games, and Activities
One mild third Saturday of January 2020, I met my childhood friends Sarah, James, and Henri at Pittsburgh's Perfect Parties client Hailey Thomson's house in Oakmont. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "What a storm we are having outside today," James remarked. "Especially coming off of that 70-degree day last weekend." "I think it would actually be a better idea to stay on this side of the river, if the weather is bad," Sarah pointed out. "We can go to the Giant Eagle in Verona, and there is also a Dollar Tree at that same plaza." We sat down at the table to eat dinner, which was lightened bacon cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries, along with chips and dips for snacks. "We decided that the decorations will be a banner to welcome me and my friends, a collage of us as best friends, music in the background, and turning the dining table into a 'bed'. Snacks will be Mix and Match Snacks, Fruit Kebabs, Tie-Dye Cupcakes, and Rainbow Pancakes for breakfast. Games will be a No-Peek Obstacle Course, Taste the Rainbow Race, and Guess Whose Secret. We will also construct tents, watch movies, and do makeovers," Hailey reviewed. "We will also go across the river to Zone 28 before the slumber party." "I am surprised that you didn't include all of my favorite types of slumber party food," Henri pointed out. "What kind of food is that, Henri?" Hailey asked. "Oh, you know, foods like pizza, chips and dip, popcorn, cookies, brownies, and candy," Henri explained. "Those are good, too," Hailey agreed, "but I prefer extra-special treats." "Before we go shopping, I would like to know about everyone's experience with slumber parties," I explained. "Also, if you guys would like to learn more about Pittsburgh slumber parties, you can check out all of the videos on my YouTube channel, userAKS." "Well, I was playing Truth or Dare with my older sisters this morning, and they dared me to go outside for 10 minutes in the winter storm," Hailey told us. "Good thing that you didn't choose that as one of the games to play because that can be a little scary for some girls," I pointed out. Mia and Erin came into the living room to talk about their experience with slumber parties. Erin told us a silly story that she remembered from a childhood slumber party, and Mia showed us her old stuffed animal, which was Casey the Cat, who helped her feel comfortable when she slept away from home. "I like the idea of Rainbow Pancakes for breakfast," James pointed out, "but my favorite breakfast treat at a slumber party would have to be doughnuts, especially the chocolate sprinkle kind. Hopefully, for my birthday in June, I will get a chocolate sprinkle doughnut for a treat." "My birthday is in June, too, James," Erin stated. "Angel is often a guest of ours at our apartment in Forest Hills, so we have a guest bed for her," Sarah explained. "But, if I were to invite even more guests over, they would have to bring sleeping bags and pillows, which I prefer would be set up in a nice, straight line." "Maybe, I could be one of your guests at your next slumber party, Sarah," Mia stated, "since I am one of your new best friends." "That's okay, Mia," Sarah stated. "I already have plenty of other young women my age that I am friends with." "I am 16 years old," Mia pointed out. "Does that mean that I am not a young woman?" "I would technically define young women as people age 21 and over," Sarah stated. "I swear to God that this family is becoming just like you guys when you were their age, back in 2005-2006," I pointed out. "Which this year is also technically like." "Only I was a senior that year, and not a junior, like Erin is," James told me. "Do you have a sleepover story that you would like to share with us, Henri?" I asked. "I only remember pulling pranks on James and Sarah, when I was just as mischievous as little Hailey is." "I'm not little," Hailey contradicted. "I am almost 12 years old." "All 4 of us go a long way back," I explained to Hailey. "We didn't have any slumber parties, of course, but we did fun things, like watching sporting events at James's high school, since he was so interested in baseball." "Are you guys always the care-free, lovable young adults that you are?" Hailey asked. "We actually did some volunteer work when we were teenagers during this one hot late spring day," I explained. "We sold lemonade to thirsty customers to help keep them cool, and then, used the money to buy Chinese food for dinner." "So, you guys really are committed," Hailey stated. "No wonder the company asked you to perform the weekend shifts, since you guys are so dedicated!" "I had two really great work sessions at work in Goodwill this week," I explained. After we got done making our shopping lists, we headed off to the supermarket and the dollar store. Henri and Hailey looked for ingredients for Tie-Dye Cupcakes, as well as Skittles for Taste the Rainbow Race, and craft supplies to make tents at the dollar store. James and Erin looked for ingredients for Mix and Match Snacks, as well as supplies for the No-Peek Obstacle Course and a few of his favorite movies to borrow at the dollar store. Sarah and Mia looked for all different kinds of fresh fruit, which Target didn't actually have, as well as vanilla yogurt for the Fruit Kebabs, as well as index cards for the Guess Whose Secret game and her beauty supply kit for makeovers. We also found pillowcases and art supplies for the favor. "This is really a good way to save money for a slumber party," I pointed out. "Wait until you become our age, where we have to pay bills for important things like rent, mortgage, water supply, groceries, heat, air conditioning, transportation, and cable." After our shift was over, Sarah, James, and Henri drove me back to my mom's apartment in Highland Park. "Thanks for a great evening, everyone!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome, Angel," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"