Kids Dish

Sam’s second birthday is tomorrow and we’re throwing him a small party on Sunday to celebrate. I’m not an indulgent parent. Sure, I’ll let him eat pretzels for breakfast, but when it comes to an event he’s not going to remember I’m not the type of person rent out an establishment or provide pony rides, clowns, Elmo or an ice sculpture. We went all out for his first birthday and invited all of our family and friends, but that was more of a milestone for us. We made it through a year. At this point, a year later, we’re glad to celebrate Sam’s second year of life outside the womb and look forward to his third, but at seven months pregnant I don’t feel like feeding fifty people again. So a small party it is.

Of course Bob’s family is big and close so small is relative. His generous aunts send cards and call when Sam’s sick so it would feel wrong not to invite them. And if we’re inviting his aunts and uncles it would be weird not to invite his cousins, who may or may not come anyway. Right now small looks like it’s going to be about twenty people. Maybe a few more, maybe a few less. We scheduled the party for four o’clock in the afternoon which is kind of an odd time for a party on a Sunday afternoon, but any earlier, say a normal two o’clock in the afternoon party, would probably interfere with naptime. At four we sort of have to provide dinner, yet it’s not a dinner party so the question of what to eat is a big one.

Rather than have a specific dinner time, we’ll have cold foods out when the party begins and put the warm foods out later. I’ve decided against serving a ton of hot food for twenty people who will be milling about, not seated, but there will be a few hot items. My mother-in-law, at our request, is making roast beef and gravy for sandwiches, Bob’s aunt is making a few strombolis, and I’m going to make a big tray of macaroni and cheese. I considered serving another hot entree, but decided to order a hoagie tray instead.

I feel like I’m slacking, but I’m hoping all of the cold food makes up for the lack of hot. It is a late afternoon party, not a dinner party after all.