As an adolescent girl sitting around my best friend’s basement, listening to Meatloaf and yakking about boys, I always wondered if they were talking about us somewhere too.
Being the mother of three sons (ages 11, 7, and 5) has provided me with a unique experience on “the other side.” However, I might have gotten my fill of fifth grade boys after hosting a sleepover birthday party recently for my oldest, Jacob.
I must admit, it was all my idea, so I can hardly complain. Some may think 11 is too old for a traditional birthday party, but I say celebrating is what keeps us young.
Jacob was psyched when my friend suggested a hotel sleepover. What could be better than spending 20 hours straight with your closest buddies? I liked the adventure aspect and keeping the beasts contained in a room that I didn’t have to clean.
After some research, I discovered the Slumber Party Package at the Embassy Suites in Parsippany. It includes a two-room suite, one large pizza and soda, an On-Demand movie rental and snack basket, and cooked to order breakfast in the morning—all for less than $200.
We decided to throw the party and share costs with Jacob’s friend, Avery, and his parents. The boys—whose birthdays are close to each other—have similar pals and with two rooms they could invite more people and we’d have four adults to referee.
I was excited about the opportunity to observe Jacob with his friends. These days, he’s often at the park or another house, or in his room with the door closed, so being able to see him and his animals in their own habitat was a draw.
On a Friday night, we split up the 13 boys (including my three and Avery) in three cars to make the 25-minute drive to Parsippany. When we arrived, the boys were bursting with energy and noise and it was a bit like trying to contain Mexican jumping beans in a can as we hauled the giant pile of duffles and sleeping bags up to the room. We brought a boom box, snacks, three cameras, and a case of water and used every last supply.
The boys splashed in the hotel’s indoor swimming pool for at least an hour while we ordered dinner. After their swim, they scarfed down three pizzas (we had to order extras) while watching ESPN and goofing around.
Although we were in a relatively small space for 17 people, their behavior was surprisingly restrained. They were loud, wrestled, and jumped on furniture but we felt fortunate that no one was wearing a lampshade or peeing in the sink, and survived the night with no injuries or meltdowns.
We let the birthday boys choose a movie while we made copious bags of microwave popcorn. It was PG-13 and had more foul language and sexual innuendo than I would have liked but it was one of those times strict parenting had to take a back seat to fun. You only turn 11 once, right?
Despite the smell of sweaty socks, the snacks ground into the carpeting, and the constant shrieking, those squirts were adorable. They might talk tough but to see them all in their pj’s, with sleeping bags lined up together like a giant patchwork quilt across the floor, sharing pillows—and some even cuddling—was a sweet reminder that they are still little boys.
After the movie and cupcakes, it was about 10:30 p.m. and time to introduce the idea of going to sleep. I’m not sure why we bothered as most of them were up until at least 2 or 3 a.m. A few didn’t have all-nighter stamina but there were at least six who kept a steady stream of giggles and gossip going all night.
At midnight, it was cute—but by 2 a.m., not so much. My husband and I took turns shushing them and making empty threats, but they couldn’t help themselves.
All was forgiven in the morning. The incessant chatter began again in force as they dressed for breakfast. Although pretty well behaved in the hotel restaurant, the boys went crazy for the buffet. The idea of limitless, “free,” and often unhealthy food was irresistible. Also tempting was the chance to mix hilarious concoctions like syrup and fruit loops or orange juice and milk and try to get unsuspecting friends to sample them. Overall, they were superstars so we let them swim a second time before heading home.
As soon as we returned, our entire family took a well-earned nap. It took at least a day to recover but was well worth the exhaustion.
So what do 10- and 11-year-old boys talk about?
We heard a lot of sports stats and some interest in girls. But it was mostly dumb jokes, teasing, and more bodily function descriptions than I ever need to hear again.
I guess some of life’s mysteries are best left to the imagination.
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