We danced on the grass. Husband more than I. To a live band (they played at a neighborhood home til complaints from across the park), with parents of kids somewhere around Big T's age. As always, we were near the top of the parent age range but still learning from the others about what to expect as Big T goes into the next school year. it was a fun, refreshing evening out for us.
We walked to the party with another Mom.
Big T is too old for a sitter, too young to be comfortable at home alone after dark. After a few conversations, we settled on having the two "onlies" spend the evening together at our house while the parents went to the party. These two do well together, and they're pretty calm. We reminded the boys of a few house rules: no other kids in the house; lock up if you go to play at a neighbor's house; here are the approved snacks -- and left a set of emergency telephone numbers. A couple of calls home found them safe and happy.
Just as the other Mom and I set out to walk home, they boys called to ask us to hurry. Please? Apparently it was getting late enough that being home alone was getting old. We called again as we turned up the driveway, so they would not be startled when we opened the door and came into the house.
Still happy as larks, the boys had a sleepover and sent the other Mom home.
Another party-goer took this as an inspirational story. Her younger kids would reach this stage some day, we assured her -- sooner than she can imagine.
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