Slumber Party

It's happened. Madison has received her first invitation to a slumber party. I knew this day would come. Let's call this another step out of the nest. Kim and I were uncertain as to how to RSVP. I mean, these kids are only 7! I will be impressed if she makes it through the whole night, but slumber parties were a big part of my childhood and I hope she has as much fun as I did as a kid.

Plano, TX in the early 80's was a lot of fun. Granted, my parents worked too much and I turned into a latch key kid, but I had a great group of friends. As a matter of fact, most of the girls of my childhood are now the ladies of my Facebook! Julie, Margo, Melissa, Gayla, Lana & Leslie, Stephanie - we were the slumber party queens, or princesses at the time. How could I ever forget forking Phillip Panell's yard after he forked mine during a slumber party? Or watching Kujo at Lana and Leslie's birthday slumber party and having the poop scared out of me? There were games and movies and so much fun. We stayed up late, laughed a lot, occasionally froze some underwear, and always had a good time. There were scavenger hunts and pizza and prank calls to boys.

And now it is my baby's turn to take a big step out of the nest. As a mom, I know there are a million things that could go wrong. I know sexual predators are usually snappy dressers and always wear a smile. I know she may call home at midnight to come home. I know a mean little girl may tease her and hurt her feelings. I know she may feel afraid. I also know she may have the time of her life. I know she will make memories that will last into at least her 30's. I know she may walk away with a best friend like Julie, who has been as much a part of my life as my own brother.

Oh my baby is growing up and while everything in me says to hold on tight, I know I have to let her go a little at a time. I can hardly wait to hear the scoop when she comes home on Sunday morning!