Helpful party tips for moms

When hosting a party for 12 eight year old girls, here are a few tips:

Please don't concern yourself with heavy house cleaning prior to the party. The main objective is to simply create more space. A second grader will not notice if you spent hours vacuuming your stairs or not, she'll just enjoy running up and down them multiple times. Therefore, be sure to remove all clutter, potential tripping hazards and any breakable or sentimental objects.

* Hide all remotes, purses, phones and packs of gum. Oh ... and perfume.

* Leave the front door unlocked or preferably propped open if decent weather. When each party guest arrives, it will involve everyone screaming out their name and then all of them running with arms open wide, straight out the front door, into the yard and to the passenger door of the guest. Expect each arriving guest to be a little taken back with the overwhelming greeting they'll receive.

* Once all 12 girls are present in the house, expect nonstop running, jumping and screaming. One 8 year old alone is typically quiet and still, however add eleven more 8 year olds and the wild child is released!

* Turn on all ceiling fans and crack a few windows to get some air movement, even if it is only 40 degrees outside. 12 crazy girls flying through the house seems to increase the internal temperature to beyond tolerable levels.

* In order to endure the screaming, ear plugs are recommended OR prepare early and prior to the party, prep your ears by putting on headphones and listening to heavy metal really loud so that you're ears are muffled by the time the party starts. Also, make sure you have a whistle to get their attention at a moment's notice or if your Hubby can really belt out a whistle, give him the signal when you're ready to move to another portion of the party. The girls will not hear your voice, even if you yell so don't take it personal or let it irritate you.

* For the mass running and jumping, ensure you have other adults and/or older children in the house and give them room assignments to manage. Have each assignment include keeping the beds, dressers and tables free from leaping children. Don't need any injuries before the party even gets to rockin'!

* When it's time to eat, ensure there are enough chairs at the table for each guest or you will hear about it, which will then have you frantically scrambling for more chairs. 12 girls equals 12 chairs.

* Prepare one type of drink in cups in advance. If you offer options, then get a notepad and pencil and take orders as if you are a waitress in your own home. It'll save you from yelling back and forth and making the terrible mistake of giving someone the wrong drink. If an 8 year old asks for lemonade and you give them water, you clearly are the dumbest hostess on earth and they are not afraid to inform you of your dumbness.

* Buy only two kinds of pizza for the party and if you want your own personal kind that is different, hide it away or at least a few pieces of it. And don't expect to eat it warm. You will only eat AFTER the party guests are done with both their first and second helpings because it's not safe to leave them in the kitchen alone so you must stand at attention which means you'll have to wait to eat for yourself.

* Pass out the same dessert in equal amounts and be prepared for some criticism. Unlike adults who would either just eat the cupcake with the blue sprinkles if given to them whether they liked it or not, 8-year-olds will insist they would prefer the one with chocolates sprinkles and then bicker with their friend over who will get it.

Also, if they're homemade desserts, expect that there may be at least one guest who will let you know that their mom's desserts are much tastier than yours. Don't take it personal. Honesty is a good quality to have. Just smile and thank them for their insight.

* Finally ... take lots of pictures. One day when all these 8-year-olds are graduating high school, you'll look at the photos and wonder where the time went. And believe it or not, you'll wish you could have all those girls back in your home having a party just like the one you just had.