Recovery

I survived.

Friday evening, my daughters opened our doors to their friends and trouble flooded in. Shrieking, giggling little girls in costumes hit this house and rocked the foundation as they ate, played games, and bobbed for apples like insane children with water-obsessive disorders.

I fully intended on taking wonderfully composed, well-lit photographs that would showcase the joy and spontaneity of childhood. Instead, I spent the evening in the kitchen stirring melted caramel so it wouldn't burn to the bottom of the pan.

You'll just have to trust me that the kids had a lot of fun before collapsing into sugar-induced comas.

The pizza and the watermelon were big hits. Much to my surprise, the cupcakes went uneaten. It wasn't like the kids tried them and went ptooey . . . they didn't even touch them. Delicious chocolate frosting. Yummy cream cheese delights. NOT A NIBBLE! Learn from my mistake, Moms, and don't bother with cupcakes—they've jumped the shark.

The tote bag decorating station was a great success. We set tables up in a nook, away from the madness of the family room, and after the initial flurry of girls making their own bags, the craft area provided a quiet, creative outlet to which girls returned in small groups throughout the evening to perfect their creations.

Hope you all had a fun-filled weekend, and I look forward to surfing around blogs and checking out your pictures of candy-grubbin' munchkins.

Dinner last night: lime-grilled tilapia, rice