A brief musical interlude (or the temporary adventures of supermom!)

Let's just get this straight. I hate the conventionality of birthday parties. The obligation, the ridiculous expenditures (though I kept the cost under $200 this year, and I paid for it with the on-the-side translation work I took on, so I can forgive myself this indulgence) etc. That said, it makes them so damn happy, I can't seem to find it in me to not give her a birthday party, and this was no exception. Note to self, if every party were this stress-free, I might not approach them with such trepidation. Three and a half hours and no one's feelings were hurt, everyone won the games, they got wet and dry, ate appropriate amounts of both fruit, veggies and pizza before cake and presents were opened in an orderly fashion, with no howling or whining. Not bad for my first solo party... I think there must have been a temporary enchantment or suspension of reality, or the gods smiling down on me from above. But I'll take it...