Part I
I am exhausted, but I am happier than I have been in the past several weeks. Last week was non-stop. I had no time to be depressed. Monday and Tuesday were normal. Wednesday, my oldest and I went to Matauri Bay, New Zealand, for the night. I wanted to take one night and focus on her. The overnight stay afforded us the opportunity to talk, bond, and laugh at the silliest things. I enjoyed just talking to my daughter.
She wanted a family dinner with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins on the actual day of her birthday. Planning her birthday dinner was not as simple as calling a local burger joint and informing them that x amount of guests would be attending. She loves Pinterest, so she knew exactly what she wanted and how she wanted everything to look. She is detail-oriented like me. (I care about and notice things like skulls on martini glasses or the patterns of Swarovski crystals on napkin holders that match the patterns on the plates.) We had to hire an event planner and a venue to accommodate at least 50-75 people, but it was no easy feat. The per head or minimum spend rates for some of the restaurants here were eye-watering. It was a 15 year old's birthday dinner. Not a wedding reception or corporate party! The venue she ultimately chose was perfect. They did have a minimum spend amount for their private room, but we surpassed it because we had 70 people present. I love when the two families get together and get on well. The dinner was filled with laughter, good times, and memories that will be cherished forever. More importantly, everyone was there to help celebrate her first birthday with our family.
Friday was the night of the party for her friends. She wanted it to be all about celebrating life and having fun. She was like, "Mum, we have to have good food, a candy bar or dessert table, a hot DJ, plenty of space to dance, ice sculptures, lighting, mocktails, gift bags, and fireworks."
She attends an all girls school, but word spread to the brother school and other schools. It was like an under 18 club. Surprisingly, there were no fights, foolishness, or drama. Everyone did well.
My grandmother listened to the lyrics of one song, and I swear she was about to turn colours, clutch pearls, and/or faint. She was like, "Lizzy, what did he just say? He is going to knock WHAT out like what?!" The lyrics were something along the lines of "knocking the pussy out like fight night." Gasp worthy lyrics at any rate. I am used to listening to rap/hip hop, so I know it is nothing clean. Apparently, Iggy Azalea is popular with the teens. They went bananas when any of her songs were played. Would I let my five year old listen to music like that? No, but there is no sense in shielding my oldest. I do wish someone would have warned me about the way teens dance. Perhaps this is why I have yet to volunteer to chaperone any balls or formals at my daughter's school. There was more grinding and twerking going on. I am like, "How in the bloody hell do you twerk in a dress?" Madness.
My daughter asked that guests donate to a list of charities instead of spending their money on gifts for her. She did the A to Z's of national and lesser known charities. She was like, "Mum, there are very few people who do not know someone who has had Alzheimer's, breast cancer, leukaemia, diabetes, etc. There is someone in the world who can use that money more than me." In addition to the charities, she also had a drive for the local food bank because, "No one should have to go hungry."
Relaxation was a long way off after Thursday and Friday. In the wee hours of the morning, my mum, SILs, MIL, and youngest daughter, accompanied her and a group of her friends to Byron Bay. She really wanted to attend Splendour in the Grass. Now, my husband was originally supposed to come, but he was like, "Stay at home, sleep late, watch what I want, and watch one kid vs. screaming, hormonal, angsty teenagers talking about a chap who's soooo ace. Love you. See you on Sunday." We stayed in Byron Bay and commuted to the Parklands. I was not up for camping on the grounds. The concerts were awesome. I treated the girls to manicures and pedicures at our favourite nail salon. We made it into a girls weekend. They only had interest in one act on Sunday: Sam Smith. After he got off the stage, we floored it to the airport. Where are the warnings that come with adolescents? I had a very enjoyable weekend, but I could not wait to hand them off to their parents on Sunday. They were not going to get knocked up, drunk, pierced, tatted up, or be featured on some knockoff of Girls Gone Wild on my watch. For some of them, this past weekend was their first taste of freedom, and it showed. Boy, did it ever?!
I spent Sunday night snuggled up in front of a cosy fire with a bottle of chilled wine and my dashing hubby. All I wanted was to lay in his arms, listen to his heartbeat, and close my eyes.
I am glad the birthday extravaganza is over. I am thrilled that she was able to celebrate with our loved ones. I am proud of her for being selfless and wanting to make her special day about helping others. I suppose we are doing something right when it comes to raising her to have humility and to be selfless and aware of the world around her. She knows that she has been blessed, and she wants to give back.