Toddler Groupie

A few weeks ago Jim’s aunt and uncle threw their annual end of the Summer bash at their house. I have to tell you this ain’t your small house party with burgers, hot dogs and beer. When the Schack’s throw a party, they throw a party and that usually means a fly and shine by from a police helicopter, cops at the gate by 9 PM and the occasional piss off the cops get when they do arrive. I was very skeptical this year since they changed the day to Friday instead of Saturday and mostly because I am pregnant once again. Al and I actually looked at eachother around 6:45 and said it might just be us this year (meaning the twenty or so people already there, family & friends). A lot of help goes into their parties as far as food goes, there’s always Bruce’s Deli with his amazing table long sandwiches, artful veggie and fruit platters, the amazing taco cart, my cupcakes, and Oggi’s supplies the entire bar and it’s a full bar folks. In year’s past we have never seen a line at the taco cart for the entire party, from the time the guys got there until 10 PM when they actually ran out of meat. The bar ran out of liquor which is craziness considering in the previous years I was in charge of monitoring what we had and we always brought stock back to the restaurant. My cupcakes were gone by the time the sun went down and the party started at 6:30. I was in complete awe sitting at one of the main tables by the stage as we listened to the yearly entertainment of San Diego’s own Liquid Blue Band watching streams of people coming up the long driveway. You may not get where I am going but we hit an all time record with guests at the Schack’s party, we guesstimated around 350 people in attendance, I told you this wasn’t your normal Summer party. Payton got the party started and I am not just saying that because she is my kid but the little toddler was out on that checkered dance floor and didn’t care how silly she looked. She and her little friend, Cody, we’re Liquid Blue’s groupies. They would stand right next to the speakers at the stage shaking what their mama’s gave them and bobbed their heads to songs from Fleetwood Mac to Britney Spears. I wish I was as carefree as my daughter and could just get out there while having the entire party’s eyes on me. She really made the night that much more fun! Now your probably asking yourself how you score an invite to next years extravaganza…

I only baked 100 cupcakes as I have done the past three years. I guess next year I need to up the amount and add in some other yummy treats.

Pay on stage while they were doing their sound check.

Love this photo, love her expression, love her daddy for giving me her.

A sign of our future, except when water is replaced with other beverages. She chugged almost half that bottle.

Dancing the night away.

A view from the crowd looking down from the bar. This does not include all of the tables lining the driveway or the basketball court.

Screaming “yay” as they finished a set. Maybe she gets this because I attended so many concerts when she was in my belly. I mean she did hear Britney Spears and NKOTB while in utero.