Out of School BBQ Party

This last week of June has been highly anticipated for a while. As much as I've loved Elisa's morning preschool schedule this year, it was getting harder and harder to be up and out the door by 8 a.m. after late summer nights. The afternoon routine of playing at Lou Lodati after school was pushing naps later and then we wouldn't make it to SGP until nearly 5 p.m. some days. After a few hours of running around and cramming in dinner there, bedtimes were bordering on 9 p.m. Elisa needed a break. I needed a break.  And with Wednesday, June 26th officially the last day of school, the end was in sight! But of course, it wouldn't be a real relief without a little craziness to make it a busy last few days. On Wednesday afternoon, I was helping organize the park's Out of School BBQ which meant a morning run to buy food and 2 1/2 hours of set up before the party. By the time we opened the doors, I was a hot, sweaty mess but seeing the kids excitement was worth it. We had a dunk tank, water slide, DJ, cake walk and lots of food and refreshments.  What we didn't have a lot of were volunteers. Unfortunately, I think this event falling on the very last day of school meant parents were too tired and fried to help out. So we made the most with what we had and opted to forego some of the activities like the Scavenger Hunt and Egg & Spoon races. The Human Bingo never really took off. But I think overall, it was a great evening and the kickoff to summer was complete.

Seeing Elisa tackle the giant water slide three times was pretty awesome. I was waiting for her on the first slide down and seeing her wipe out on the bumpy landing and back slide into the catch pool was a bit unsettling. She was a little scared and very soaked. But after a hug and a high five, she was ready to jump right back in which made me happy to see. As much as I struggle to understand her sensitivities sometimes, she can also impress me with her bravado. When she wants to do something, she really is unstoppable. So after a few turns waiting in the long line, we grabbed some hot dogs and more Italian ices and took a little break. There was so much activity all over the park and the feeling of community was again the best part of the event.  School is OUT and the relief was palpable.  Carolina was nearing complete exhaustion by the end of the cake walk, but she held on like a champ. And seeing how much fun the big kids were having trying to win one of the creations was cool. I made a chocolate glazed donut cake with sprinkles that was surprisingly the first to go. But all of the cakes looked delicious and most had lots of candy confections to sweeten the deal.  As I watched Carolina staggering around, something about her ice cream covered face and tired eyes as she twirled with her sister was so heartening. This is really the best kind of summer evening--seeing all the kids out playing and laughing into the sunset. The party wound down and I was ready for bed that night too...a great finish to the school year and a welcome introduction to the rest of summer.