A Party of One

If you go out to eat alone, because sometimes you just want to get away, you may be asked, How many in your party? The perfectly acceptable and appropriate answer is one.

That got me thinking about my favorite topic, Kids Parties. Could a child have a Party of One?

The answer may surprise you.

My daughter-in-law called me one day to ask if I could stay with my grand daughter while she went out to do some errands. It’s not an unusual call and I’m normally available. I got the call because my grand daughter hadn’t been feeling well and mom didn’t want to take her out if it could be avoided. So Opa’s phone rings and I’m on my way.

After going through the check list of do’s and don’ts, if’s and then’s (I swear getting ready for flight-ops on the helo deck was less intense.) mom was gone and Emy and I were left to our own resourcefulness.

Very soon I was introduced to Polly Pockets, or is it Pocket Polly’s? (I’m still not sure.) Anyway, when Emy first ask, Opa do you want to play Polly Pockets with me? I had no clue what she was talking about. But, anytime a 3 year old can tech me something new I’m game.

Opa: How do we play?

Emy: Come on I’ll show you.

Opa: Where are we going?

Emy: To my room.

Opa: I thought we were going to play the Polly Pockets game?

Emy: Opa, it’s not a game. We will play with the Polly Pockets people.

Opa: There are people in your room? Should we call the police? (I get a real joy out of making my grandkids think by hitting them with unexpected questions. Even though grandma often scolds me for what she calls torturing the kids”.)

Emy: (taking me by the hand) Come on Opa, it’s all right, I’ll show you.

Opa: Does mom know there are other people in the house?

Emy: Opa you’re being silly, there are no other people in the house.

Opa: You said there were Polly Pockets people in your room.

Emy: (in a loud voice) They are not real people they are Polly Pocket people.

Her persistence is amazing. She knows exactly what she wants and there is no doubt about getting it. So even though I try to distract her with questions and alternatives, we finally end up in her room.

Opa: I don’t see any people here.

Emy: They are in the closet.

I’ll leave it to your imagination how I responded about people in her closet.

Finally I was introduced to the world of Polly Pockets. Why isn’t it just called a dollhouse anymore?

First we had to furnish the house and I can’t tell you how much fun it was to see the looks on Emy’s face when I put things in the wrong place. (Maybe I was torturing her? But it was such fun.) She would do something and I would put the tub in the living room or a bed in the kitchen only to have her instruct me on the proper placements. I don’t know how long it took but soon as far as she was concerned, I wasn’t there any more. That’s when I got to sit back and observe the fantasy world of a child having a Party of One.