Today we had our Strawberry Party.
I mentioned yesterday that it was the brainchild of my four year old. I turned it into a bit of a Christmas party as well, and the kids decorated felt stockings with cotton balls and glitter glue. We ate Christmas tree shaped pb&j sandwiches, and frozen fundraiser cookies decorated with icing and colored sugar. And of course, strawberry smoothies.
About as simple as could be, and fun was had by all.
To get ready, I cleaned yesterday, but put off a few things until today.
I tend to do that.
“Oh, I’ll have TWO whole HOURS between taking the boys to school and when the guests arrive.”
Two hours seems like such a long time on the day before, but such a short time on the day of.
I spiffed up the kitchen, dusted the dustiest pieces of furniture, and vacuumed.
But I really didn’t stress about it . . . because these were friends coming over. I do feel an obligation to check ceiling fans for dirty underwear since I did actually invite them, but things don’t have to be absolutely perfect.
Because we live here. And having friends over is supposed to be part of living.
I’m so thankful for this deslobification process. I’m so thankful that getting my house real-friend-ready is finally something that’s possible without a week’s warning.
Of course, next week . . . when we have hubby’s office party . . . that will be a time when I need to stress a little more.
Oh, and proof that they’re real friends:
They just laughed when I realized as they were leaving that I had never changed my gotta-put-on-something-to-get-the-boys-to-school-I’ll-just-wear-these-for-now-and-change-them-before-anyone-gets-here mismatched socks.
I’m linking this up to Finer Things Friday over at The Finer Things in Life, because Strawberry Parties are most definitely . . . a finer thing.
Friend cleaning is so much more relaxed than family or work people cleaning. Friends forgive & totally understand where you are. They are happy to get out of their messy houses for a while!
My best friend and I get together to clean. I'll go to her house, help her with laundry, clean her kitchen while she works (she has a home business). Other times, she comes to my house, vacuums, dusts, and does my dishes. Sometimes I'm working on homework while she works at my house. Or I'll play with her kids while she works at my house. We talk, we laugh, we snack, and we do it together. She's a REAL friend. One I'd let stop over anytime.