Monthly Archives: July 2024

Family Fight Night 3: Sibling Summer Slam

Hello, hello! And welcome everyone to what is sure to be the most legendary Family Fight Night yet. We’re your announcers for the evening, Stan Boomvoice and Tucker McThundercords. 

Legendary is right, Stan. It may be hot outside but it doesn’t come close to the temperature inside. Summer break is in full swing and tempers are flaring higher than the flames on Dad’s gas-soaked grill. 

Speaking of Daddy Doomed, he’s still at work and the Married Matron is looking pretty harried, Tucker. 

This muggy air has nothing on Mama’s mean mugging, Stan. I don’t know about you but I’d steer clear of this Miffed Missus. She’s already behind on dinner prep and potatoes aren’t all she’s ready to whip. 

Looks like she’s regretting the Tablet Time-Out she instituted after the Blanket Fort Fracas, Tucker. These Wilding Whelps haven’t given her a break since breakfast. 

And they are showing no signs of slowing down. Big Brother Bash is currently baiting Sister Seether with his infamous Toy Pile Driver, refusing to leggo those Legos even though he knows some of them are hers. 

Oh! And it looks like the Rising 3rd Grader is rising to the occasion. She’s going in hard with her patented Honeybadger Hurricanrana, Tucker. Just a feral flying mass of tangled hair and untrimmed nails. 

It’s not looking good for the Prepubescent Prince, Stan. I believe the Spare is ready to dethrone the Heir. 

Not looking good at all, Tucker. That growth spurt she had last month is really paying off here. He might be older but this youngest is ready to yeet him out into the yard. 

And it looks like the disturbance is dragging the Depleted Damsel into the drama, and she is clearly in distress. What do you think her play here should be, Stan?

Grounding is hardly groundbreaking, Tucker, but it might be Mama’s best move. Sometimes the classics are classic for a reason. 

Oh! I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it! A Hail Mary hailing from Hell’s Kitchen! In a surprise move, she’s busting out A Moment’s Peace, letting them play video games! I did NOT see that coming, Stan.

It’s a risky move, Tucker. Risky move. The Tween Titan has been on a hot streak during this heatwave, dominating the action on the Nintendo Switch. He’s already gotten several reprimands for trash talking. 

But it looks like the Sus Sweetie has something up her sleeve, Stan. She’s been secretly practicing while The Bruv of Shove was at camp last week and has managed to eke out a win! 

Oof! That’s gotta hurt. Unsurprisingly, the action is now spilling over from the screen into real life. The Super Smash Brothers have nothing on these Super Shriek Siblings! Oh, the humanity! 

And here comes all 15 pounds of the Round Mound of Pure Hellhound, always happy to add to the bedlam. This little doggy has a bone to pick and as you well know, Stan, the Chaos Canine rarely gives up easily. 

Talk about a tongue lashing, Tucker. His bark might be worse than his bite but his lick is far from lovable. 

Do you hear that, Stan? With her signature primal scream, it’s clear The Frazzled Femme Fatale has had it and is stomping out of the kitchen again, flinging F Bombs like a F5 tornado! Daughter Dearest at least has the decency to look demeaned but the Savage Son remains defiant. 

Oh and would you look at that timing! Father Fatigued is finally home, unwittingly headed right into the eye of the storm. There’s a lot to take in here, Tucker, but he immediately executes his go-to move, The Raised Eyebrow. 

The Pint-Sized People Producer is beyond peeved at this point and not afraid to project! She ain’t having none of it, gesturing wildly at everything! It’s clear she’s ready to tag him in, Stan.

But Daddio is coming in hot with the Decompression Defense! Looks like Bro-Dad just wants a brewski, Tucker. 

We might have a Sweaty Stare Down on our hands. Do you think his Killer Commute can compete with her Caretaker Collapse, Stan?

Not likely, Tucker. Not likely at all. But wait! What’s this? He’s busting out the Meatlovers and Movie Maneuver! 

And on a Tuesday! Unbelievable! Papa Peacemaker saving the day with Papa Johns! And will you look at that turnaround? They went from throwing hands to clapping hands.

What a bout, Tucker! What a bout. 

Indeed, Stan. Always nice to see a Happy (For Now) Ending here at Family Fight Night. Until next time, everybody! 

The best-ish birthday party very little money can buy

Hey! Hi! Guess what? Did you know it’s only four days until my daughter’s 8th birthday!? I sure did! And yesterday it was only five days until her birthday! And on Christmas Day it was only 194 days until her birthday! 

Naturally we are having a party, which she started planning at 7:30 pm the night of her 7th birthday. 

Which was 364 days until her birthday! 

It’s going to be the best party ever, despite the intense yearlong negotiations we’ve had to endure. Because while I live firmly entrenched in reality, my daughter exists in a sparkly imaginary world that is apparently in an entirely different tax bracket. 

For example, I wanted the theme to be A Child’s Birthday Party. She wanted it to be Space Unicorn Mermaid Glitter Cannon Extravaganza. Despite her fierce protests, I had to nix the glitter cannon (since I would like to still be on speaking terms with the other parents after the party) but we did manage to compromise on Space Unicorn Mermaid. And while a discerning eye might notice that most of the decorations are only Space-themed, my fingers are crossed that I hear back from the farm about the herd of rideable ponies wearing fake horns in time for Saturday. (Sadly, however, we weren’t able to secure the 100,000 gallon see-through swimming pool she wanted to rent and transport to the party),

The location discussions ended up getting quite heated. Especially when she wouldn’t budge on the quite sizable guest list. But after some intense research, I discovered that every water park, amusement park, and entertainment center are all closed on her birthday, if you can believe it. She then suggested having it at her Memaw’s house but it turns out none of the guests are going to be able to make the 840 mile trip to suburban Ohio. So we eventually agreed on using our local neighborhood park. 

Speaking of the guest list, almost everyone she invited RSVP’d yes, which is great. The only ones we haven’t heard back from yet are that girl she played with one time when we were on vacation in Cape Cod and that kid from her parkour class but she doesn’t know his name and Taylor Swift. Although this is partly my fault since I was unable to track down their respective phone numbers and send them my very fancy mass text invitation:

“Someday I hope to have my shit together enough to send out actual invitations, but today is not that day. So, hey! Mae’s birthday party is Saturday from 2-4 pm at the park.” 

The good news is that after many, many significant changes, I now have my daughter’s final menu choices for her big day. 

Except there will be more menu changes. 

THERE ARE ALWAYS MORE MENU CHANGES. 

(Although I can now confirm that the six-tiered mint-chocolate chip ice cream M&M rainbow cake with real working miniature solar system cake topper that she originally wanted has been canceled. Turns out the bakery is closed that day as well, if you can believe it). 

As for the itinerary…

Oh, what’s that? You didn’t know a non-wealthy child’s birthday party typically had an itinerary? Don’t feel bad. I didn’t either until very recently. 

I took a photo of it as proof that I am only slightly exaggerating about this whole thing. 

At least her gift list was reasonable. Although I am getting slightly concerned that she waits outside on the porch every day for the Amazon delivery driver. And then hugs the boxes. And the driver. 

And that she made me this:

It’s fine. Everything’s fine. 

And at least next year her birthday should be slightly easier to plan. She’s thinking of having a destination birthday party when she turns 9. Right now she’s leaning towards Paris, France. 

But despite all the stress and the constant negotiations and the stress, I cannot wait to celebrate my little girl in a few days. It makes me so happy to see that my husband and I are raising a strong young female who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it. 

I can’t wait to meet the person she’s going to grow up to be. 

I just have to survive her childhood first.