Chapter Eighteen

Party Planning

Planning parties is gigundo fun. I did not even talk to Andrew when I got home. I went straight to my room to get started with planning.

I sat down at my desk and got started. I pulled out a piece of paper. I wrote at the top Party Supplies. Underneath it I started a list. I wrote cupcakes, fruit punch, balloons, streamers, party favors and gift bags, and apology cards.

I was not sure what color I should make my decorations. Some holidays like Christmas and Halloween have theme colors. On my birthday, I always pick my favorite colors to decorate with.

I went to use Seth's computer again. I did a search for 'color meaning'. I came to a website called 'Color Meaning Pro'. It told what different colors symbolize. It was very fascinating.

I decided from this website which colors I would use to decorate. I chose white because the site said it was the color of goodness. I really wanted people to see me as good now. Olive green is the color of peace and I wanted to make peace with my family and friends. Yellow is the color of happiness and I wanted everyone to be happy. Those colors would be perfect for my apology party.

The next morning, Mommy, Andrew and I went to the store to buy supplies.

"When is the party going to be?" I asked Mommy.

"You can have it next Saturday in the backyard. Your little house month is almost over so this will be a good way to end it." Mommy answered me.

At the store we picked out balloons and streamers in yellow, olive green and white. We got paper tablecloths that were yellow and white striped. We got olive green paper plates, cups, napkins and forks. We bought lemon yellow cake mix, white frosting and green sprinkles. We also bought frozen pizza and veggie trays. We bought lemonade, vanilla ice cream and sprite to make sherbert punch with. We also got more vanilla ice cream just to eat with the cupcakes.

I was getting very excited. When we got home, Mommy helped me print off invitations from the computer. The invitations had my picture on the front and inside they said "Please Come to Karen's apology party. Date: Saturday. Time: 2:30 pm. Place: Seth and Lisa Engle's house. Call 555-561-7233 to RSVP." I thought they looked very grown up and professional. Mommy took me to the post office to mail them.

I started work on my apology cards. I had decided I would make a little gift for everybody too just like I had done when I had my Brother's Day party which was I guess an apology party too. It was a brilliant idea.

I got out some felt and yarn. I cut a dinosaur shape out of the felt and sewed around the edges with the yarn. I left an opening. It was a dinosaur finger puppet. It would be for Andrew. I made finger puppets in different animals for the other kids too. I made a kitty for Hannie that looked like Pat the cat. I made a butterfly for Nancy and a bunny for Emily Michelle. Soon I had a pile of finger puppets for everyone.

Making presents for the grown ups was harder. After all, grown ups have their own money and are usually rich enough that they do not need presents. Well except for Mommy and other people in little houses of course. I remember once that Nannie told me that grown ups like sentimental gifts that mean something instead of lots of toys. At least she does.

I went back to the computer. Online, I did a search for poems and song lyrics about apologies. I did a image search for pictures of people saying they were sorry. I printed out copies of all of these. I cut the pictures and poems up then I glued it onto sturdy pieces of oak tag. I stapled them together into books. I took some construction paper and puff paints. With the puff paints I wrote on the construction paper "Karen Brewer's Apology Book". I stapled the construction paper onto the books to make covers. They were very beautiful. I felt like a real author. Plus it was very sentimental which I knew would make Nannie proud of me.

While I waited for the puff paint to dry, I made friendship bracelets for both adults and kids out of yarn. Then I made bookmarks that I drew peace signs and rainbows on. I put everything into some plain white gift boxes left over from Christmas. I wrapped them in wrapping paper decorated in blue, pink and chocolate brown polka dots. It was left over from a baby shower Mommy had gone to and was the only wrapping paper I could find in the house that was not Christmas related.

I was so deep in working that I did not notice when Andrew came to the door, "Karen? Mommy says it is time to eat dinner."

I was very tempted to growl at him for interrupting me but I remembered my deal with Mommy. I sighed loudly instead, "Okay, Andrew. I will be right down."

When I went downstairs, Andrew had already gone back down and was sitting at the table eating dinner with Mommy and Seth.

I served myself a plate of spaghetti, " I cannot wait for my party."

Seth smiled, "That is good to know, Karen."

"It is going to be the best party ever. I am the most wonderful party planner on earth." I took a big bit of noodles.

Mommy set her fork down, "Karen, that is borderline bragging which is not very nice."

"I told you she would never changed," muttered Andrew under his breath.

I thought about sticking my tongue out at Andrew but I restrained myself. "Okay Mommy," I said in what I hoped was a meek and kind voice.''

After dinner, I had two things I wanted to work on for the party. The first was to pick out the perfect outfit. It needed to coordinate with my color themes plus be pretty and summery. The second would be to make my apology cards.

I found a yellow and white striped sun dress in my closet. I found a pair of olive green ballet flats, a necklace of chunky olive green beads and an olive green cardigan sweater. I decided if it was too hot I would tie the sweater around my waist. It would be just right and I would match the theme. I had some olive green and yellow barrettes I would wear in my hair.

I got out glitter, markers, stickers, stamps construction paper, yarn, crayons and scissors. I got down to work making a card for each friend and family member who would be at my party. I made each card unique. On notebook paper, I wrote an apology letter for each person and taped it inside the card.

I worked until late in the evening. I had to work by flashlight after Mommy had said I had to go to bed and I knew I would be very tired in the morning. I knew it would be worth it though when everyone came to my party. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.