My 6yo's birthday last week seriously cramped my writing
time. I worry when days pass without writing. Will I forget how to write?
Will my pen weep ink on my desk? Will my ideas elope with some other writer?
I was also having a hard time pulling the party together. My
mantra for this year was "keep it simple," like the good ol' days:
pin the tail, hit the piñata, sing the song, eat the cake, and GO HOME! But instead
of simple my plan just looked loosey-goosey. It needed structure. It needed...a
story!
With that inspiration I got a little writing time and pulled
the party together. You'll have to
resist judging the literary merit of the following Little Mermaid-inspired party
surprise:
"Stop the music! I just received a letter from Ariel."
I know you are having a birthday party, but Scuttle flew in with news: Ursula
is trying to overthrow my kingdom!
I'm away on my honeymoon with my true love,
Prince Erik. So, I need your help. Will you help me stop Ursula? Wonderful! I
knew you would.
First, you'll need to get past her guards. Try to blend in by dancing,
but stop if the music stops.
Now, go see King Triton. If he says "Triton Says" follow his
instructions carefully.
Now, find my grotto and write the right names on my human treasures. (Renamed
a Schnoggle-splat to flip-flop, dingle-hopper to fork, etc.)
Finally, you need to make a potion to keep Ursula away for good. On the
count of 3 pour your octopus goo (vinegar) into your sea urchin dust (baking
soda + jello powder.)
Hooray! I knew you could do it. To celebrate, Sebastian hung a piñata of
treasures for all of you to share. Thank you for saving us!
10 Comments
OK - you got me. I have to know what happens when you mix vinegar into baking soda + jello powder??
ReplyDeleteRemember the exploding volcano science fair project from 5th grade? The vinegar causes a foamy, bubbly reaction that pleasantly oozes over the cup. The only role of the jello is to make the bubbly oozy stuff blue (in this case) and smell more like berries than vinegar. The kids made me refill their vinegar 3 times - little kids love this !!
DeleteI'm glad you answered that question about the baking soda and jello powder. Lovely that she believed ...
ReplyDeleteThe only problem was when I oversold the extremely dangerous nature of the sea urchin powder in an effort to keep the kids from spilling it everywhere before we did the potion. My 3yo nephew suddenly burst into tears, unready to accept such a terrifying mission!
DeleteWhat a fun party! Makes me wish I was a kid at your party. That is a clever idea, Lauri. And you got your writing time and throw a successful party at the same time. Glad you answered Cathy's question. I was curious too.
ReplyDeleteIf you were coming, we would make our potion in martini glasses!
DeleteFabulous! I haven't tried the volcano stuff yet.
ReplyDeleteMaking things explode and bubble is part of everyone's writing process, isn't it?!
DeleteThat is awesome! You have inspired me. My boy's birthday is coming up in April. I better not half-keister it.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you try your best, you'll at least quarter-keister it.
DeletePlease go on pinterest and look at science parties. There are so many ways to make slimy things, gurgly things, and exploding things - a young boy's dream come true.
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