FIRST WORD
Get the Party Started
M PJ Feinstein
Editor pfeinstein@midatlanticmedia.com
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info@thefamilymagazine.com y younger son was the last among his
friends to have an in-person birthday
party before the pandemic hit. I’m still
amazed that nobody who attended his Ninja Warrior-
style shindig got sick. Rowdy kindergartners jumped
on top of each other in the foam pit and squeezed
together in the party room for cake as their parents
stood shoulder to shoulder on the sidelines, chatting
casually about this new virus called COVID-19.

Obviously, nobody was wearing a mask.

A year later, my son may be one of the last in his class
to have a drive-by birthday party. At the end of February,
we handed out individually packaged cupcakes to friends
dressed as characters from one of his favorite video games.

He was Mario, my older son was Luigi, my husband was
Toad and I was Princess Peach, of course. We were a sight
to behold; my son even affixed a bushy black mustache to
his mask. It was a hilarious way to celebrate his special day,
and best of all, it was easy for everyone.

Now that vaccines are making the return of in-person
parties possible — outdoors and masked up, per health
experts — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the thought of
planning something more complicated than a car parade
or a Zoom hangout. But don’t worry: Our Party Issue is
packed with tips to make your child’s second pandemic
birthday celebration an effortless affair.

You know who else is deserving of a celebration?
Teachers! The first week in May is Teacher Appreciation
Week, and after this crazy year of remote and hybrid
learning, our children’s educators deserve so much more
than a coffee shop gift card. Erica Rimlinger shares
creative ways to express gratitude for their endless
patience after months of your child repeatedly forgetting
to mute themselves on Zoom.

May is also Mother’s Day, and with two very loud boys
at home, I know exactly what I want: a quiet morning to
sleep in. Writer Jenny Splitter has suggestions to help all
moms give themselves the gift of a great night’s sleep.

Happy reading, and stay safe!
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