Yo yo.

Where is everybody, on a Friday night?

Not gasp out, I hope?

it's only 6pm, I'm just leaving work

but I guess Pacific time is only 15 or 20% of the US

Hmm.

So your night is about to begin!

I suppose it depends.

Someone please keep me away from pinterest and similar sites!

food porn overload?

I just filled ten oh-so cute bottles with chocolate milk.

Then put them in the fridge to cool for tomorrow.

I have cute paper straws and a pile of balloons.....

Then went on Pinterest and saw that other moms are creating turing complete machines out of full chocolate milk bottles and scrap yarn, and your sense of accomplishment faded?

Hah!

Nope. But pre-pinterest I would have been blissfully unaware of washi tape, paper straws and why one might "need" mini bottles. I would have served only water and juice.

And there would have been an actual goodie "bag" instead of a little treasure chest for each guest.

Well, did you have fun making the cute mini bottle display? If yes, then it sounds like it was worth it.

Also, what is tomorrow? Why are your guests getting goodies or treasures?

I'm not done yet....

@rumtscho Kiddie party. The goodie bag is a "must".

Your children cannot lure their friends to visit them for a party if there is no goodie bag?

Daughter wanted to invite like half of her school, but settled for nine guests.

No, a goodie bag is, hm, kind of expected? Has been for decades. A pile of candy and perhaps a few trinkets.

Like a christmas tree or easter eggs?

Do you also do practical jokes, like disappearing ink?

We used to have those on our birthday parties.

I have never been initiated to such a tradition. How localized is it?

I remember occasionally getting a bag with candy on birthday parties.

@Cerberus There will be candles that re-light themselves.

Ah, yes!

My mother always bought those for us.

Always fun.

@rumtscho It depends on your age. Elementary school and a bit beyond.

In my childhood, being invited to a party meant that you get to eat snacks, sweets, candy and cake placed on the table. And that you get to annoy the hell out of adults by being loud and jumping around, while everybody else is doing the same.

This was considered good enough, without the need to also get your personal bag of candy.

@Stephie I meant about geographically localized, is it common throughout Germany?

Not only haven't I been at a party which included it, it is also the first time I have heard somebody referencing the tradition.

@rumtscho Yay!

That is the essential part.

The tradition of candy bags does exist in Holland, but it is by no means "expected". You may or may not get one.

At least in my time.

@rumtscho sorry, was distracted. Erm, I'm not sure. I only can tell you about here.

We have a few things you can be sure of if you celebrate your birthday here:

- there will be a cake

- there will be at least one book amongst the presents

- there will be something that was not on any wish list

- there will be some kind of joke involved (or a riddle)

- someone will sing, typically loudly and off tune

Not too bad, I guess.

Sounds good to me.

This year I picked Charlotte's Web for daughter: she started to fuss when spiders were around. We graduated to "awww cute" for really tiny ones.

Evening ladies

nice choice, I like Neil Gaiman. Although Charlotte's web was not among the best ones I remember from him.

I needed a likeable spider ;-)

@ElendilTheTall evening, Sir!

Gosh, such respect.

Been drinking?

:)

chocolate milk. See above.

Perhaps she needs something from you.

Oh, dear, chocolate, even?

Strawberry ftw

"I needed a likeable spider. Hi, Elendil" - sometimes chat messages come in unfortunate combinations.

<waves 3 legs>

They have finally arrived!

Is there a German version of Incy Wincy Spider?

youtube claims that there is a translation.

I don't have the loudspeakers turned on, so I can't judge the similarity.

Seems pretty similar

@ElendilTheTall yes. Imse wimse Spinne.

My kids think every spider is Incy Wincy. "Hellllloooo Incy Wincy!" and wave at them

Ah, that age.

Son was a spider at his first kindergarten show.

Performing to.... Imse wimse Spinne.

My first contact with those "please wear a brown (or other random colour) shirt without print" requests. Typically uttered less than three days before the event, and never asking for a colour one has at home.

they are calling him to be in costume, and then specify the color of his shirt?

Sure.

Because in this example, he just got a few large pipecleaners stapeled onto the shirt.

Kindergarten, not broadway.

He probably can't even borrow the shirt, if they are going to staple pipecleaners to it

^_^

And brown is one of those "standard kids colours" ;-)

(pipecleaners, really? Do they still exist in the 21st century? Not a niche market for a few pipe enthusiasts, but cheap enough for a single use as a costume?)

So we dug up a cheap brown one with print, turned it inside out, cut the white tag off.

Pipecleaners? Oh yes, for crafts. They come in different sizes and all colours.

@rumtscho de.pinterest.com/explore/pfeifenreiniger-954419789520

@Stephie isildurette was a leopard recently. Cue yours truly scribbling on a yellow t shirt with Sharpies...

Awwww, cute! (Both of you!)

The things we do for our children...

Yes indeedy

Oh, it's getting late! Busy day ahead, so good night!

Night