In a nutshell Chapter 1 is about all the things that can and frequently do go wrong at children's parties. By working through the verses and dealing with each problem as it occurs, you (yes you) can become the party expert, the envy of your friends and a hero to your kids. At the end of each successful occasion you will be able to stand tall and say, "it was a piece of cake" (no pun intended).

Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start (now that would make a good opening for a song).

Of course it doesn't really matter whether it's Amelia's party or that of Elizabeth, Mary, or Tom, Dick, or Harry. Call me an idiot (just kidding) but I firmly believe that deep down inside all children are the same. Now before you hurl this book into the nearest bottomless pit with cries of "this guy obviously knows nothing at all about children", let me explain. Take an audience of say two hundred children (gulp) watching a clown or a magician, and I can guarantee that at least 95% of the group will call out at the same time, laugh at the same things and generally respond in a similar fashion to just about every thing that occurs in the show. From this we can deduce, without venturing too deeply into the complex world of child psychology, that no matter how unique your own little cherubs may appear to be on the outside, they do in fact share an inner affinity with most of the children on this planet.

In short it is every child's enviable ability to suspend disbelief at the drop of a hat and willingly be led into a world of fantasy. This makes it possible, with the right approach, to unite a whole bunch of them at a birthday party and in doing so remove the fear of an uncontrollable hoard taking over your home. Furthermore children love to be organised and to know exactly what they are supposed to be doing (much the same way as adults) so it is up to you to organise the party to the hilt, thus ensuring that the little dears have no time to resort to creating their own form of amusement.

"That's all very well as far as it goes" I hear you cry, "but it doesn't go very far" (Charles Dickens would be proud). Fear not brave reader as I attempt to show you that , as with all things in life, it is by paying attention to the small, not so obvious details, that we ensure a successful end result.

	Rob Grigor. All Rights Reserved
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