| Years ago, when my daughters graduated from high | | | | shocked to learn it would cost $120, so a friend is |
| school, the parties were simpler. Parents would invite | | | | loaning us his tent. Other friends are lending us folding |
| a few friends over for a buffet meal and that was | | | | tables. We thought about renting chairs, but my |
| that. Today, as I prepare for my grandchildren's | | | | grandchildren do not think we will need them. Friends |
| graduation party, I realize things have changed | | | | will be here for a short time and move on to other |
| drastically. High school graduation parties are like | | | | graduation parties. |
| wedding parties. | | | | Our menu is simple: vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, |
| One friend of mine, the consummate handyman, built | | | | butterscotch sauce, crushed candy bars for topping, |
| a new deck for his daughter's graduation party. The | | | | whipped cream in aerosol cans, cherries, and root |
| construction took months and apparently the party | | | | beer for floats. We are frantically eating up the food |
| was successful. Other high school parents are | | | | in our chest freezer to make room for the ice cream. |
| renovating and redecorating. As time passes, the | | | | Some dinners have been bizarre, but the freezer is |
| plans for these parties seem to get more complex. | | | | emptying quickly. |
| One couple is having a chocolate fountain, renting a | | | | I made a list of the supplies we will need: plastic table |
| popcorn machine, and ordering catered food. Other | | | | cloths, paper napkins, extra ice cream scoops, large |
| parents are renting space in a hotel. While all of these | | | | cups for floats, small cups for sundaes, plastic |
| plans sound exciting my husband and I, as | | | | spoons, garbage cans, two balloon bouquets, a photo |
| grandparents and our grandchildren's guardians, are | | | | display (we're putting out albums), and a guest book. |
| taking a simpler approach. | | | | We have also lined up volunteer ice cream scoopers. |
| To be honest, our twin grandchildren do not seem to | | | | A week before the party we are putting notices in |
| be very interested in the party. Both of them are | | | | neighbors' mail boxes, telling them about the event |
| going to college and looking forward to the | | | | and asking them to watch out for young children. |
| experience. Their thoughts seem to be focused more | | | | My granddaughter is an excellent photographer and |
| on the future than the present. After talking with | | | | she will take photos. So far, about 90 people say |
| them, we decided to have an ice cream social. Old | | | | they are coming, though we may exceed this |
| fashioned as it sounds, these parties are always | | | | number. If we run low on ice cream we can always |
| successful because everyone loves ice cream. | | | | buy more. Often times a simple approach is better |
| Fortunately, we have a retractable awning that can | | | | and we are aiming for that. We are acknowledging a |
| be extended over our deck in case it rains. When I | | | | milestone in our grandchildren's lives and sending them |
| looked into renting a tent for the back yard I was | | | | on their way. |