RECRUIT FAMILY
AND FRIENDS
clear off plates while you guide the
kids into a game of tag, or you can
As a host, you balance a lot at once: grab a family friend to entertain
serving food and drinks, facilitating the kids when you need a moment
to breathe. Just ask in advance,
games and crafts and trying to
connect with your guests. But you Watson says, and you’ll have all
can’t do all of this yourself, Watson the assistance you need for before,
during and after the party.

says — call in some help!
“It’s very important to have a
good support system when you are HAVE A PLAN B ... OR C
planning an event,” she says. “You Sometimes, things just don’t go as
just don’t want to do it solo.”
planned. You might have car trou-
Grandma and grandpa can help bles, your magician could get sick or
a friend who was supposed to help
out can’t make it. To prevent a few
extra gray hairs from popping up
during the party, Watson recom-
mends you plan ahead.

Think about what could go wrong,
Register Now
she says, and write down what you’d
do or talk it out with your spouse or
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a friend. For instance, maybe you’ll
Summer Intensive Programs
have the local bakery on speed dial in
July 5 - August 7
case the cake you’re planning to bake
doesn’t work out.

Ballet . Pointe . Modern . Jazz
You never want your guests
Tap . Pilates . Kinderballet
Ages 3 thru Adults
to be bored, so Watson suggests
having some quick and easy games
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like bingo on hand in case a craft
or activity falls through. Having a
if they’re coming. A few days before
the party, draft a text that says,
“Can’t wait to see you all at Justin’s
5th Birthday!” as another reminder
for your child’s friends and family.

Busy parents might’ve forgotten
to tell you if they and their kids
can attend the birthday festivities.

Though you can’t always control
when (or if) people RSVP, Watson
says simple yet friendly reminders
may avoid no-shows and other
guest mishaps.

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Ballet Arts
summer drama
camps Sister Montessori preschools,
proving Northern Virginia’s
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Enroll in
June-August sessions
back-up plan (or two) will ensure
that you’re ready for whatever
the universe throws your way on
the big day.

CLEAN AS YOU GO
Cleanup doesn’t have to cause
major stress. Instead of waiting
for everything to pile up at the end
of the party, Watson tells parents
to start cleaning during the event.

While kids dig into their cake, you
can start packing up the food and
clearing the table. That way, it’ll be
a less overwhelming job after your
guests go home.

Even better, enlist your kids
for cleanup, Watson says. Yes, it’s
their day, but this is still a good
opportunity to have them help and
work as a team.

Remember: your party doesn’t
have to be perfect or extravagant,
or better than anyone else’s, Watson
says. It’s all about making sure the
kids enjoy themselves. And with a
little bit of planning, you’re sure to
have as much fun as they do. T
— JENN ATTANASIO
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20 Washington FAMILY MAY 2021



MAKE THIS
A sweet treat? A healthy(ish) snack? This fruit and cookie
pizza is both. Best of all, it’s something the birthday boy
or girl can make themselves, with just a little supervision
from you. Just imagine how proud they’ll be to serve their
own delicious creation to their guests!
FRUIT AND COOKIE PIZZA
When you place the fruit on the pizza, you can decorate it
any way you want. You could spell a name, make a flag for a
holiday, or even create colorful patterns, like a rainbow.

SERVES 12
1 (16.5-ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 small banana, peeled and sliced
1 small kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
1 cup sliced strawberries
½ cup blueberries
¼ cup apple jelly
2 teaspoons water
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Spread the entire roll of cookie dough out onto a large
ungreased baking sheet or pizza pan. Bake 12–14 minutes,
or until lightly browned. Use pot holders to remove the pan
from the oven. Place the pan on a cooling rack and cool the
crust completely, about 30 minutes.

Montessori School
of McLean
3. Put the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl
and mix well with a wooden spoon. Use a spatula to spread
the mixture over the top of the cooled crust.

Exceptional Montessori
Education for Toddlers
through Upper Elementary:
Ages 2-12
5. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the jelly and
water. Heat the mixture in the microwave for 20–30 seconds
on high until it is melted and spreadable. Brush the glaze
over the fruit on the pizza.

6. Refrigerate the pizza for at least 2 hours before serving.

Cut it into pieces with a pizza cutter. T
PER SERVING
Calories: 280 | Fat: 13g | Sodium: 200mg | Carbohydrates: 39g | Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 26g | Protein: 3g
Excerpted from The Everything Kids’
Cookbook, Updated Edition by Sandra K.

Nissenberg. Copyright © 2002, 2008, 2020
by Simon & Schuster, Inc. Photographs by
Kelly Jaggers. Used with permission of the
publisher, Adams Media, an imprint of Simon
& Schuster. All rights reserved.

— PJ FEINSTEIN
BOOK: COURTESY OF SIMON & SCHUSTER, INC.; PIZZA: PHOTO PROVIDED
DESIGNER29 / DIGITALVISION VECTORS / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
4. Place the fruit on top of the cream cheese layer.

montessori Cultivating each child’s unique ability to flourish
in mind, body and spirit
ENRICHMENTS • Science • Technology • Spanish • Outdoor Classroom
• Library • Music • Drama • Art • Physical Education
Aftercare • Transportation • Summer Camp
1711 Kirby Road
McLean, VA 22101
703-790-1049 Accredited by
www.mcleanmontessori.org WashingtonFAMILY.com 21