Birthday Party - how long?

[Jodi]

I will eventually get to Ryan's IEP last Friday, but for now...

I'm planning a birthday party for Ryan (he will be 10 on the 13th) and we are going to invite his classmates and a couple of friends from baseball.

We've only had 1 child EVER come over to play with Ryan and it was for two hours. I was exhausted after! So my question is how long? I want the kids to have enough time to enjoy themselves but I don't want to go too long for my sake and theirs. We are getting a bounce house and will have a toy train with tons of track set up outside, along with a swingset, bubbles, and other toys. I may have my husband man a WII station in the house! The kids all have special needs which I don't mind at all, but just figure that some might get wiped out or over stimulated.

Any advice? Suggestions?

Thanks ;D

Jodi

OH - and what about the parents? Should I ask them to stay? I figure I will of course invite them to stay - but give them the option.

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Brook's never had a party that wasn't just family so i'm no help there. They stay until the've eaten enuf and they need a nap

I wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ryan!!! Hope you have a super fun day!!!

[jelanismom]

LOL Jenn...until they've eaten you all out of house and home? ;D

Jodi,
I'm of no help with this whatsoever, but just wanted to wish Ryan a very
HAPPY BIRTHDAY too!

I would bet it's gonna be a very fun time for everyone, maybe let the parents dictate the curfew? How many adults are going to be there? But by the sound of it, you should charge admission! lol
I'm sure your son will have a very memorable birthday and all the kids will always remember this fun day with Ryan!

[damarasmom]

I sure hope his big day is a huge hit! I think with all that activity, I would put on the invitations at least 3 hours...gives them time to play/eat and just "HANG" Late morning with ending with lunch/food...this way they leave full and no time for melt down .... 2 hours to play, 1 hour designated for food...then out they go!
You could go longer, but shorter would be too much of a rush...

Just my opinion...Happy Birthday!!!

[Chris too]

My advise: plan the entire party & count up the time that will take. As long as they are going from one activity to the next, all will go well. You have to keep an eye out for when one activity is running down & get them all ready for the next right away, or busy the early finishers with something to keep them out of trouble (clean-up or helping the slower finishers).

Happy Birthday, Ryan!!! Woo hoo! TEN!
Hey! Ryan was born exactly 6 days before my Betsy - birthdays around Father's Day are hard to plan & Betsy has suffered some in this regard - but not this year. 10 is a biggie in my book.

[elizabethsmom]

I agree with Damarasmom. 3 hours sounds good. However, I have to qualify with I've never had a party where all of the children had special needs. (With Elizabeths party there were several little kids and a WHOLE BUNCH of older teens who were there with my older kids 'cause they LOVE E!). When my other kids were young though, 3 hours was about right to play with everything, sit down and eat, and don't forget cake and presents! That takes a good amount of time! But you're right, I wouldn't want them there long enough to melt down (or to make me melt down).
Sorry I'm not much help.
Sheryl

[Jodi]

You guys are funny. I have my mom and sister coming to help and my 15 year old son will be there too. So 4 1/2 adults lol! Anyway, I don't know if the parents are going to stay and we may have up to 12 kids. I just can't see not inviting his whole class.

We are having family show up after the kids leave to also celebrate Ryan's birthday and father's day. I know I'm going to need therapy come Sunday!!!

Jodi