Turning Teen

Presently, conversation around the house revolves around party planning for Gabby's 13th birthday. It's a big one, a special one. She's turning the corner into Teenland. It needs to be a fun and memorable party for her, but we're struggling to find just the right activity for it.
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Bowling? Done it. Skate Palace? Closed. Swimming? Done it. Movie? Nope. Mall? Last year. Snow? Too cold. Dance Dance Revolution? Over done.
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Hmmm. Nothing seems quite right. Why is this year different than every other year?
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Boys.
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That's right. This year boys will be coming to the party. That's a lot of pressure for the party planner: to provide fun for all, regardless of gender.
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So, in my quest for ideas, I tried to remember back to my own 13th birthday. For some reason, I couldn't remember it. I knew that my 12th birthday was a boy/girl party and we went to Chuck E. Cheeses in Tacoma (still a novelty back then, and quite a bit nicer than our Lan-Trash-ter one). Then the boys went home and the girls spent the night. It was fun!
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But, alas, my 13th birthday was escaping me! What to do? Mom. Call Mom. Here was the result of that phone call:



Apparently mine was an all-girl party that year. They came over on a Friday evening and we hung out and played some games.


We "slept" in our totally party-friendly basement. I remember doing Madonna make-overs and dancing to the cassette tape of "Who's that Girl" that I'd received as a gift....much to my Mom's dismay.



Come morning, we made our way out to the AquaBarn Ranch for a little horse-riding action.

And, hence the name "AquaBarn," there was also a nifty pool!

Thanks, Mom! It all came flooding back to me. Good times.

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And on a side note, regarding the before mentioned "Who's that Girl" soundtrack cassette: that night was the first and last that I got to listen to it. My mom took it away. But, if any of you know my mom, she saves absolutely everything. I asked her a few years back if she still had it. Madonna's short, platinum Blonde 'do now resides happily in my retro cassette collection nestled inbetween Milli Vanilli and REO Speedwagon.

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As for Gabby's party? I think we finally decided on doing a Medieval Murder Mystery Party! I think (hope) it should be a lot of fun. Everyone will come in costume and Ben will die sometime during the evening! I'll let you know how it turns out!