A van, backing down the driveway, left a branch dangling off my Magnolia tree. The sadness of those furry buds which would not be able to flower was too much. The branch is now residing in a milk bottle in the hallway to see if it is possible to force Magnolia.
Did the Typepad spam filter have a breakdown? I'm being overwhelmed with comments of the wrong type. Which is ironic, because comments of the right sort seem to have been in much shorter supply. Entirely my own fault as I have been guilty of reading and running elsewhere. Bad.
Spent a happy half hour making up 'in-lieu-of-party-bag' parcels , wrapped with road atlas pages. They contained books (and obligatory sweeties). I may abhor plastic tat, but I'm not a complete monster.
Usually the party bag is a gesture to say thank you for coming and the pleasure of your company. And this time I really did mean thank you to those kids. Usually, parental party responsibilities end with providing food, drink and some sort of entertainment and then clearing up afterwards. But this party? Best I've ever hosted by a country mile.
See, one of the guests sprained his ankle on the morning of the party and couldn't make it. So what's a mother to do? Join in and shoot people with a laser gun in the woods, of course. Highly recommended.
I used to *love* laser quest. We went with the people from the lab where I did my PhD and you have no idea how satisfying it is to laser annoying postdocs and run away cackling.
I've been reading and running recently too. Or, more often, not reading. Having a great big catch up session this weekend. Lovely!
Posted by: dottycookie | 24 February 2013 at 11:19
Ooh, I'm going to lazertag with my nieces next week - best thing about babysitting! I also love the party bag idea - might borrow that in the future :)
Posted by: Starspeckles | 24 February 2013 at 11:37
That is awesome! Oh, good paries are so fun!
I know what you mean about comments, they have rather disappeared, haven't they? And yet I find myself commenting less, too...
Posted by: Kirsten | 24 February 2013 at 14:56
Just to help with your comment total! I've been guilty of reading and running for far too long now!
Posted by: Gemma | 24 February 2013 at 16:24
What a fab photo! I love your creative party bags :)
Posted by: lazylol | 24 February 2013 at 16:25
Oh I forgot to say - I've just had to change the moderation on my typepad too, I had over 100 spam comments when I got back from my trip. I have also been guilty of less commenting, well less of everything bloggy. but i am trying to make amends :)
Posted by: lazylol | 24 February 2013 at 16:28
I'm getting a lot of spam about trucks. I don't know what that means at all.....
looks likes lots of fun in the woods!
Posted by: driftwood | 24 February 2013 at 17:18
What a fun party! And love the idea with the map pages, those parcels look really smart.
Wordpress is no better with spam. I am having to delete loads every day..
Posted by: rusty duck | 24 February 2013 at 18:50
I hope the Magnolia flowers for you.
It looks like you all had fun at the shoot out!
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 24 February 2013 at 19:15
Who has the biggest smile? You!
Posted by: Alice C | 24 February 2013 at 19:16
I almost didn't spot you. Well camouflaged! x
Posted by: PinkCatJo | 24 February 2013 at 20:28
Reading and running a lot too and I am also getting tons of spam.
Why aren't you wearing your hat?
Posted by: Sue | 24 February 2013 at 20:34
Well, I'm not even getting spam...!
Love that photo. Looks like they all had an absolutely brilliant time.
Posted by: Megan | 24 February 2013 at 21:19
That really does look like the best kind of party!
(I think even the blogosphere has been affected by the winter weather.)
Posted by: Annie @ knitsofacto | 24 February 2013 at 22:51
Magnolias are one of my favourite trees. There was a stunning specimen in a garden round the corner from where I live, which I admired every time I walked past it. Until the owners cut it down to erect a gazebo. Philistines!
Posted by: just Gai | 24 February 2013 at 23:20
Sounds huge fun! Go for it Ali! Love your map-wrapped pressies too. A book is a great solution to the party-bag phenomenon. E x
Posted by: Thomasina Tittlemouse | 25 February 2013 at 08:14
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the magnolia flowered for you indoors! And I decided not to read and run this time!
P x
Posted by: Pam | 25 February 2013 at 09:44
I haven't been running, but I understand what you mean. I've had loads of spam recently - I don't know, a lot of it came after a Certain Person implored me to take off my word verification... I think of them (kindly!) every time I delete.
You are very impressive with your lasering, lady. You youngster, you.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 25 February 2013 at 10:15
Haha -- looks like tons of fun. We have a lazer tag very near where we work and everyone used to go play at lunch as a stress reliever. (We didn't have to get all Camo like your bunch LOL.) LOVE the looks of your pretty gifts!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 25 February 2013 at 14:48
What fun to be able to join in with the boys! Did you get shot at a lot? I love that photo of you all and the road atlas wrapping paper is fabulous - far too smart for children ;o) Lucy x
Posted by: lucy locket | 26 February 2013 at 13:23