b-day party

Gosh lafmom, only had a son.....and as long as there was pleanty of food.....the guys were happy. For his 16th....back in Tucson, there was a mystery dinner theatre.....so....he picked 5 of his best friends....dad and me....it was a great time.....wasn't sure if cool 16 year old males would get into the mystery play....but they loved it....I think they may have laughed more than they ate!

So....would recommend a dinner/theatre situation wholeheartedly......Good luck, and happy birthday to your daughter.

You can shorten the length of the 'HOME' part of the party by taking a group out for some entertainment. This allows the young lady to invite boys and girls, always a big hit around the age of 16! Some suggestions are movies, comedy club (on teen night), indoor water park, bowling, etc. Afterwards, everyone can come back to your house for birthday cake and hanging out time. We usually ship the boys off around midnight and let the girls spend the night. You get it all:
1. Entertainment
2. Social time with the opposite *** (supervised) at home
3. And a sleep over to discuss the boys after they're gone!

Thanks Arizona - I actually had a surprise thing at the movies for Michael and then back to the house for food/cake. With girls, it's hard to limit it to a small group because inevitably someone's feelings will get hurt! However, you've made me think about maybe doing something low key and inexpensive and returning to the house. A weekend trip to Chicago or someplace would have been so much easier!

EDIT: KC - I guess we were posting at the same time - looks like perhaps that theme might be the way to go. Thanks for the input!

Lafmom,

For my daughter's 16th birthday....we allowed her to invite her two best friends to a rock concert down in Philly. We bought the tickets and rented a stretch limo for them to arrive "in style" and to pick them up and deliver them back home. They had a blast, and I didn't have to worry about them driving into the city and back home (which I wouldn't have allowed anyway! ). For my son's 16th we did a "similar" thing. The guys were really into "paint ball" at the time. We rented a "limo bus) and invited about 10 of them to a paint ball course about an hour away from the house....meals included. Is there an activity your daughter enjoys? They get such a kick out of being "pampered" by a limo. Makes them feel like a quasi-celebrity!

Luvbb - Anytime pampering is involved, it works for me! Actually, after the other posts, I'm thinking about maybe ice skating and back to the house. Need to talk to the co-conspirators and get their opinions (two 15 year old friends). Question with that is if the guys would want to come. Maybe I'd better ask Michael's opinion on that.

Well, I am not much of a party planner (at least for 16 year old girls), but I think I am going to ask Tess (my 16 year old) if whe wants to have some friends over for a bonfire (just detroyed two apple trees that are in the way of the infield I am constructing).....their group (boys and girls) has had a few bonfires this fall......your bonfire could be after another fun activity (dinner, etc.)........I suppose that might depend on restrictions according to the fire department where you live!

Grateful, A bonfire is a wonderful idea. One of the friends helping me with my planning actually has an area in their backyard where the "gang" does this regularly. The kids love it. My own yard just isn't conducive for this, although the bon-fire house's mom has offered her house. Definately a thought!

Lafmom.
Going to a sporting event is usually fun, then I like to go out to eat, then hit up someones house and then go out late to the movies. Hope it helps. A bonfire would be fun with alot of ppl.

AK - how's everything going?

In school, I have a 3.5 GPA , I'm really happy with that. I injured my calf pretty bad in wrestling practice, but I can walk now. Baseball workouts are starting and wrestling and football are soon to come. I've been a pretty busy dude lately. Gonzaga U. has offered me a mini-scholarship!!! I am excited about that! Things are going good, three sports are definatly fun.