Pizza, Pop Tarts & Liberty in North Korea

Throughout the past 18 years, Charli has had quite a variety of birthday parties.

Hannah Montana, Snow White, Ninja Turtles/Princess hybrid (she does have three brothers), Princess Jasmine, bounce house, Dora the Explorer, pool parties, Chuck E. Cheese, Vines, and the ever-popular Quince-ñoza — the Espinoza version of the traditional Quinceañera.

When I asked Charli what she wanted to do this year for her 18th, she said she wanted to keep it simple, no fancy decorations or complicated menu items. She asked for pizza, hot cheetos, pop tarts for dessert, and a piñata. She designed her invitation and sent it out herself. In lieu of gifts, Charli asked her friends to donate to Liberty in North Korea (LINK), an organization dedicated to rescuing North Korean refugees. Charli volunteers for this organization and is starting a club for LINK at her high school.

So tonight we had about 40 teenagers come and go throughout the evening. I can tell you that pepperoni is the clear winner over cheese or Hawaiian. Brown sugar frosted pop tarts kick unfrosted strawberry pop tarts’ butts. Teenagers like Mountain Dew. And the piñata breaks much more quickly if you’re not using a blindfold.

During clean-up, I rolled one of the coolers out to the back patio and poured out the ice. Before I could blink an eye, Maddie (our senior citizen chocolate lab) had plopped herself down on the ice as if it were her bed. That was a sight to see.

A handful of kids are still going strong playing pool.

It’s been a very good day.

Tonight’s Chandler-ness
10-15-2000 - Mom, you know why they call it a Bible. Cuz it makes a sound like a bass (as he thumps it closed.)