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5:30 AM

I've been awake since 4:00 AM.  I hate when I can't sleep.  I had insomnia for over a decade before I met my husband.  Back then I didn't sleep more than 3 or 4 hours a night and functioned quite normally.  These days when that happens, I'm shattered.  Even now sitting here, I'm regretting getting up because in six hours I am having a birthday party with 20+ five-years-olds and sleep would be exactly what I'll need!
My son turns five on Wednesday.  Today is the big party and he's so excited!  I've been planning the party for a month now.  I had booked a soft-play facility.  I paid for them to close the place so the kids could have it to themselves and then two weeks ago, another kid in his class had a party there and every child and adult that went got horribly sick.  Invitations had already gone out and for my son's party and the following Monday, I was approached at the school pickup by a few concerned mothers.  I had already paid a £100 deposit on the party and needless to say, there was a bit of a panic.  I canceled the party and even managed to get my money back.  Then came the task of finding a new venue 2 weeks before the party date (English houses are not built for parties of that size).
A few days after I booked the soft play place, without consulting my son, he told me he wanted a clown and a bouncy castle.  I felt really bad for not asking him what he wanted and just booking the place on the assumption it would be great.  So, when disaster struck, I had the opportunity to give him the party he wanted.  Two weeks before the party, I was able to find a new venue (complete with a bouncy castle) and a clown that just had a cancellation!
As I'm the class Mom, I know all the kids in my son's class really well, so I invited the entire class.  There are 28 kids in his class and with the exception of a couple of jehovah witnesses who are not allowed to attend birthday parties, a special needs child and a few kids who's parents that drive, they are all coming!
Well it's now nearly 8:00.  As I was writing this, my son woke up.  I went and curled up in bed with him and went back to sleep for a couple of hours.  Ahh, that's better! Time for breakfast and party preparation!

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