First Sleepover? You Mean: First Stay-Upper.

Everyone loves a good sleepover right? Even as an adult I get excited for a sleepover! BUT, do you remember back to your very first sleepover? Were you excited or scared?

If anyone followed our social media over the last couple of weeks, they would know that my oldest had her very first sleepover with her friends. It was week #4 of rescheduling due to sicknesses and life, but the weekend MADE IT. I was thrilled that my daughter would quit fricken asking me if it was finally the weekend about every 10 minutes. Seriously - when do kids learn time? Do they teach this in school or am I supposed to be teaching some tricks - either way - it's getting the best of us and she's not the only one going crazy waiting.

The day of the sleepover, in our mom group chat - crickets. Every Friday before our tentative date, someone different ended up sick with influenza or strep, we were terrified of the question, ".. how is everyone?" All was well from every mom - it was go time! The worst planning idea ever: wait until after the baby takes a nap for kids to come over. Sounds good though right? Wrong. Instead of being able to get things done around the house, I have a miniature version of myself kicking my heels, "is it time yet? can I wake up Knox to make it sooner? Should I wait by the door for them? I should watch out the window. It must be time, it's almost dark". FML. 3:00 in the afternoon never seemed so.far.away. When the girls came, it was all at once and one by one they ran through the house full of giggles! Oh to be 7 years old again. We had a laundry list of fun things to do; I was that mom for the first time ever. I wanted the very first sleepover with friends to be a memorable one, sue me.

Being a photographer, I never pass up on opportunity for some pics, obv. In order for the girls to go sledding outside, they had to participate in a "bestie photoshoot" - thankfully, they all agreed. Although after about 5min, one by one they asked "how many more do we need for this?" Eh, I'm used to it, my kids throw every bit of sass at me and I just throw threats back at them. We have LOTS of fun during family photoshoots. Hard to threaten cute little girls who just want to have fun!

These Girls = The Best. No joke. Kudos to all of their parents because I didn't want any of them to go home, I wanted to maybe trade out a couple of mine for them. These four beauties have snagged the name "Fab 4" and I love watching them interact with each other. They truly are fabulous! They're so understanding of each other (except for when someone thinks they're cheating in Go Fish).

Thinking about all of their activities actually makes me want to take a nap, I wish I could have this much energy.

• Bestie Photoshoot

• Sledding

• School

• House

• LOL People

• Treasure/I Spy Hunt

• (Multiple) Dance Off/Dance Party

• Card Games

• Twister

• Coloring Pictures

• "Boy" Talk (Lucas, you have some super fans here)

• And, finally, a "movie theater" in the basement

7 year olds don't sleep if you were wondering. They finally went to bed at 11pm after a reminder to stop talking to boys on their pretend phones. The giggles were contagious - Lucas, I don't know which one, but one of them is set on being your bride. Finally - lights out, kids out.

It was a short night.

At 6AM they were ready to go again. I think I blinked, that's how much sleep I got between the 6 kids at my house that night. Any other moms? I kept mentally preparing for one of them to wake up, and then nobody but me suffered. Now I know better: go to sleep and hope for the best.

Long story short - this sleepover was more like a stay-upper, but more glamorous.

Tired as Always,

Hells