A Family-Friendly New Years Eve Party

If you're a parent you probably know how difficult it is to get babysitters on New years Eve. What young person wants to sit on the couch earning peanuts when they could be out, seeing the New Year in?

How many New Years Eves did we spend as new parents, sitting together on the couch watching rubbish TV, wishing we were at a party with our friends. But it was impossible. We had kids. They had kids. Kids need to sleep. They need their own beds... no New Years Eve parties til the kids have left home... boo hoo.

Then a few years ago I had a bright idea. A party at our house. Invite other people stuck in town for work; stuck at home with kids. Tell them to bring the kids PJ's and sleeping bags. Let off some fireworks as soon as it gets dark then snuggle the little ones down in front of a DVD. Then the grown ups can relax and enjoy adult company, and see in the New Year in a proper fashion. With friends and fun.

So now that's what we do, whenever we're in town over New Year.
This year was no exception.
We had a lovely evening, with just a few friends most of whom may be familiar to you...



Gail and Co (Delightfully Diva-ish) and Lyns and Co (Once Upon a Time), along with our out-of-town buddies BJ and Cee and of course, Granny.

We may have been few in numbers but that didn't mean we were quiet. Oh no. This was, as always, a kid-friendly new years eve party, remember. BYO kids.

A classic kiwi new years. Blokes BBQing, pavlova for pudding, toasting marshmallows and letting off fireworks.



Chilling under the grapevine. Or in the hammock.

Eating, drinking...

{this is Rangi and Scrag at their special little table. Don't they look like brothers? Tee Hee. Both super cute, that's why}

Kids playing chasies and hide-n-seek. Garden soccer. Doing silly dances and making us all laugh.

Yes. That would be my kid.

The one who got the Dance and Drama award for his class this year. Oops I mean last year don't I??

Nice. Relaxed. A pleasant way to see in the New Year.

Apart from the total meltdown by one of my children at 11.15pm. Rather late I know. But it was New Years Eve.

We packed them all off to bed at last and were left to see in the New Year with our remaining guests, giving thanks for one thing each from 2010. And stating one thing we were hoping for in 2011.

Its now the next day. Of course the kids were up bright and early this morning, even though they had gone to bed four hours past their bedtime. Hence my droopy eyelids and afternoon PJ-wearing.

Ahhhh, I hear the sweet sound of a child wailing my name, "Muuuuuummmmeeeee!"
Sigh.

The New Year has begun. May it be a good one. (And by good I mean one where we get enough sleep, enough to eat and have friends and loved ones with us for the journey, whatever the days ahead might bring).

Happy New Year!!

So what about you? What ya thankful for in 2010??? Hoping for in 2011?? {or if you;re shy, how did you spend New Year's Eve??}