Late party problems and decisions to be made...

My son has been invited to a birthday party.My son is 11 on Monday and his own birthday party consists of 3 friends, his brother and my husband and I going to the cinema and then out for lunch. The party he has been invited to is for 50 children, at a swimming pool from 8pm to 9.30pm some other day.

My son's usual bed time is 9pm and although he does sometimes stay up later than this the thought of him being in a swimming pool at that time of night with 49 other children... is ridiculous to say the least. Call me old fashioned and an over protective mother, but I am feeling really quite irritated that the parents of his friend have been so blasé and, frankly, irresponsible.

I could, of course, tell him he can't go, but then his friend would be upset because this friend is supposed to be his best friend.I also do not want to upset his friend's mother. However, their feelings are not really my priority - my son's safety is. I know the sort of behaviour that will be acceptable at the party and its not the sort of behaviour that I am comfortable with.

In the past I have avoided play dates because of lack of supervision. The last time my son played at their house he came home very proud that he had saved his friend's life.When I asked how he had saved him he said that they had been playing out in the front of the house and his friend had been in the road. A car had come down the road, not seen the boy and my son had dragged him out of the way just in time.He was 8 at the time. When I asked why they were out on the road and where the mummy was I was told that this was usual practise and mummy had been in the house.He has not played there since.

I am too much of a wimp to be honest and up front about this event, but it has tainted my opinion ever since and I have backed off from my friendship. This latest problem is just another example of how different we are. I suppose, to be honest, I am controlling, she is easy going. We each have the right to parent as we please. She is a lovely person and if our children were not an issue everything would be fine. But they are an issue. I am unhappy trusting my children with her or her offspring.

Next year they will all go to new and different schools and the problem will be over hopefully, but for now I have to decide what to do. Do I let my son decide for himself and hope everything is fine? Do I say no to the party and tell the truth as to why he can't come? Or do I say he can't come and make up an excuse, somewhere between the truth and a kind place? I just don't know...

Study, skiing and sparkly soirees...

Today I revised for my exam whilst watching son#2 ski.I read my notes on Great Expectations as he flew down the snow like a genius. I cannot believe how well he is doing - from scared and crying at Easter to parallel turns at June Half Term! What a little star!

I went and had my hair done this afternoon... blonder, shorter... am I having a mid-life crisis?? I am going to a dead posh party in about 3 weeks and am searching for the perfect dress... so far without success. I did try on a gorgeous one - midnight blue, sparkly, backless, fitted like a perfect glove from the waist down. Unfortunately from the waist up I looked like a wrestler...

So... the hunt is on for a 'wow' dress - not too bright, but sparkly and sexy. Not mutton dressed as lamb, but not the bride's mother either. If I find it I will photo it.I want to look drop dead gorgeous at this 'do' and I neeeeed a dress for it.Tomorrow may well involve a shopping trip.

Its not often that I go out to 'dead posh dos' so the shallow inner self that is my true character is crying out for attention and glamour.It is a night that calls for sparkle, lip gloss and Chanel No5. I plan to dance until I drop and breakfast at Harry's in the wee small hours. Ho Hum... only 3 weeks to wait now.

I have to find that dress!

More indoor skiing and Pampered Chef friendship worries...

I went skiing today. My Man and I snuck off to the indoor ski place with our old salopettes and had an hour of skiing. How bizarre! My main impression was of darkness. Of course it wasn't dark, but as it was inside, with no windows, the overall feeling was... darkness. The thing I love about skiing is the massive skies and the mountain air - the feeling that you are a tiny dot amongst the mountains and sparkling snow, the feeling of freedom. Here there was no sky and no feeling of freedom. That is not to say that I didn't have a good time.After the first few runs where I felt as though I was wearing huge planks on my feet, all went well. I could not stop myself from smiling as I hurtled rustily down the slope.What a lovely way to spend a Wednesday afternoon!!

I am feeling a tad anxious this evening. I am having a Pampered Chef party at my house. You can Google them and look up the stuff they sell - its good. I e-mailed my potential guests last night and there has not been a clamouring to attend. In fact, there has been a marked and stony silence.My fragile self confidence has taken a dive and I am thinking that I may have to cancel if more people, as in.... any people, don't let me know they can come.

Its time like this when I go back to the whole thing about friends. Maybe they all read my post going on about how I liked my own company. Maybe they all thought I could have a Pampered Chef party by myself as I liked my own company so much... Actually, I don't think they read my post as none of them know that I write this blog.... maybe they just don't like me.....