C19 H28 02 Overload!

That my friends, is the chemical composition of testosterone. Yesterday, we had a birthday party for Joey (his birthday is this coming Sunday, June 18th) on the last day of "school" which is actually just a mass and then going back to the classroom to get their report card. Anyway, I made the mistake of inviting TEN (10) boys 9-11 years old. The even BIGGER mistake was having them until 4pm! This experience will never be repeated again!

First of all, Joey has never had a party where all that were invited came. Trust this to be the time they all decided to come. I figured that a mass starting at 9:30 would end at 10:30 and maybe a half-hour in the classroom to get their report cards and say goodbye to friends. Then the theres the travel time to our house and the waiting for everyone to get there, I would then have the boys from 11:30 to 4. NOT! Well, Father Jim, in his infinite wisdom from doing this year, after year, after year, gave a very short service. You could totally tell that the kids had ants in their pants in the way they were just half-sitting in the pews. It was over at 10:15. Everything got pushed back early and all kids were at my house before 11. Swell!

We had a total of 12 boys, including Timmy & Joey. Thank God Ben took the day off! Since this was going to be a waterslide/pool party, they brought lots of props with them. Again, so happy Ben cleaned out the garage. All backpacks and paraphernalia got dumped there. Next, everyone needed sunblock. Lots of groans, but surprisingly, everyone complied. They each had a buddy that would help them apply it. Next up, sustenance. We had to get rid of some energy then eat, then digest so you don't cramp up in the pool and drown after eating or whatever. We walked to the Pizza Hut about 2.5 blocks from our house and went for "all you can eat" buffet. We got there before the lunch hour rush, much to the relief of the management and staff.

There was a LOT of teasing and name calling on the walk over and even more at the restaurant. I pointed out this fact to them and said "... and all of you are in Catholic school. What a shame!" They said "It's okay Mrs. Blight, we're only kidding around." This was very true as I found out much later. We left Pizza Hut without incident (whew!) and walked back. Of course, there was the inevitable spitting contest as we passed a small bridge with 12 boys in a row spitting over the handrail to see who could spit the farthest. Gross! It makes me nauseous while I'm typing about it. Eeeeewww!

Got home, took the solar blanket off the pool and the chaos began! Limbs were flailing in all directions. I was amazed there were no cries of pain. However, the harsh words kept coming to the point of insult. They were playing very rough but no one seems to be hurt. Its a very strange age. These guys can beat and insult one another and after 5 minutes, it all evaporates. Its as if nothing was said or done! Amazing! They were all just having a grand old time. Of course with girls, it would have been a very different story.

My backyard isn't big enough to have the slide to empty out into the pool. Therefore, the boys had to toggle b/w the front yard where the waterslide was, and the pool in the back. This meant that one adult was in the front and one in the back. Ben and I alternated. Then, it was time for cake. In all of Joey's parties since he was born, there was always leftover cake -- except for this one. Some kids had seconds and thirds AND asked for ice cream. I guess their appetites are also "maturing." It was only 2 pm. 2 more hours to kill! Back to waterslide and/or pool! The pinata killed about 30 minutes so one more hour. Is this party ever going to end?

The parents finally came! Yaaaay! Ben and I were congratulated for our valor and I agree that it was well deserved. This is so not going to happen again! Me and a dozen testosterone filled boys do not go well. I was spent! It was a relief to go to work from 6-9 pm. Maybe I was psychic and anticipated that the panacea from work. Who knows...and who cares?! I'm a survivor! Pardon me for puttinig the photos in random places. Somehow I haven't gotten all my bearings. Hoping to post something more coherent soon. Hanggang sa muli, until next e-time...