Welcome 2012

Top tips to a successful New Year's Eve Party with the kids (and their friends):

1) A cotton candy machine. I'm not sure which was more fun for the kids, making the cotton candy or eating it.

2) Lots of snacks. The nice thing about kids is that they are pretty easy when it comes to party food. One of the biggest hits was the individual chip bags.

3) Games. In addition to the air hockey and wii, we broke up the night by coming together for party games like "Spoons" now and then. We also assigned each kid a number and drew from a bowl every 15 minutes for prizes.

4) Origami. I just discovered that Michael's is a good place to stock up on origami paper -- 200 sheets for $10. Sophie checked out a bunch of books with instructions from the library and the kids went crazy folding.

5) Geometric shapes. After writing a story for the newspaper last month about activities for the kids with cranberries, I bought a few bags (but, then never did any of the things I was planning to do). Last night, I busted out the cranberries and a box of toothpicks and was amazed at how the kids -- especially the Kindergarten crowd -- sat mesmerized for hours building elaborate bridges and pyramids. Pure magic.

6) Music. We kept the music pumping with tunes the 9-11 year-olds loved. This created a nice party atmosphere and I think it was a hit, since the volume was increased every time my back was turned. Plus, the two-year-olds and I made up a new dance in which we all held hands and jumped up and down repeatedly. It was awesome to see their giggles and I think it may have been good for my calves as well.

7) A fire. We've started using the fireplace in our front room and it is everything I ever dreamed about when I imagined having a home with a nice cozy fireplace. Around 9 p.m., Katie Jane curled up with her blankets and pillows and fell asleep watching the flames dance about. It was so sweet. And, I couldn't believe she never stirred with all the partying going on nearby.

8) A movie. Even with all the music, treats, games and prizes, it was still a long night. At 9:30 p.m. we popped in the DVD of the newest Spy Kids movie and nestled the kids in with soft blankets and buttered popcorn. Then, some of our friends showed up (Brian's brother who is visiting from Boston was also brave enough to join our crazy house full of kids), so while the kids were quietly entertained with a movie, the grown-ups had a rousing game of Cranium in the next room. I will never forget the moment when -- right before our super smart friends won the game like they always do -- one of them accidentally blurted out "Three fish, four fish" to finish the phrase "One fish, two fish . . . " Maybe you just had to be there. (side note: their nursery is decorated in Dr. Seuss with the correct phrase stenciled on the wall!).

9) Sparklers. At 11:50 p.m., we gathered up the ten out of the fifteen kids who had stayed awake long enough to see the new year and helped them put on their coats and shoes. We decorated them heavily with glow bracelets and necklaces, armed them with poppers and herded them outside where we counted down to midnight and lit sparklers. All ten of the kids were lining the balcony overlooking our driveway waving their sparklers while I was stood below watching their smiling faces. It was a lovely way to start 2012.

10) Fireworks. Just as our crew was waving their sparklers and blowing their horns, a neighbor launched a gorgeous fireworks display into the air. Unexpected and oh so perfect!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!