Recipe for a successful sleepover

7 giggly girls

1 school dance
4 large pizzas
5 2-liters of soda
2 1/2 gallons of ice cream
1 can Redi Whip
Assorted sundae toppings
1 box of feminine hygiene supplies
1 package of Starburst
1 box of Swedish Fish
1 bag of Skittles
12 envelopes of Fun Dip
1 funny movie
7 hours of sleep
3 dozen chocolate chip pancakes
1 gallon O.J.
0 cell phones

Lessons learned:

1. Girls eat A LOT!
   
2. Hosting seven 13-year-olds is easier than hosting seven 8-year-olds. They don't need or want a lot of directed activity. Just a space to hang out, access to lots of food (see #1) and the knowledge that the parental units are there and aware.
3. Kids will give up their cell phones. We required that they turn the phones in after they returned from the dance. They grumbled a little bit, but handed them over. And do you know what? They had a great time being together -- no one being distracted by this text message or "OMG! Do you know what so-and-so just said." This morning over pancakes a couple of girls picked up their phones and several others said, "NO! No cell phones!"
4. Plan for the unexpected. I had to make a feminine hygiene run at 9:30pm. I asked Mike if he wanted to go, but he declined. Of course when the girls saw that I was going to the store, that's when they put in the orders for Starburst, Swedish Fish and Skittles.
   
5. Sleep is possible at a sleepover. The girls actually put themselves to bed at 1am after the movie was over. I went downstairs to make sure everyone had enough blankets and pillows, said good night and that was it. Everyone went to sleep. (I think -- I can just imagine all those girls laughing, thinking "We really pulled one over on Annie's mom!")
   
6. While I wouldn't want to re-live it, being 13 can be fun. Giggling, whispering, being silly. At some point, they gave each other nicknames. Annie's is "Doughnut" -- because everyone loves doughnuts!
   

All in all it was a great night. And if any of you sleepover girlies are reading this, thanks for being such fun guests and great kids!