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Sleep over, for real

Eleanor went to her first sleepover last weekend. I wrote earlier about the "sleep over" she and Amanda had in Eleanor's closet, but this was at a friend's house across town.

The sleepover had a "Star Wars" theme. Earlier that day our family had actually gone to the Durham Museum of Life and Science and seen people in costume as Star Wars characters---various storm troopers, bounty hunters, a very impressive looking imperial general... So Eleanor was prepared. She also gathered the two books she had about Star Wars (both gifts =) to read before bed.

After the pool party, the kids went to the friend's house and watched Star Wars in the media room. Eleanor watched much of it standing in the doorway (she wouldn't go out) repeating to herself, "I have to remember it's not real. It's just pretend." This is the way I prefer to watch suspenseful movies (although I internalize my rational voice) so I sympathize. I remember watching Hunt for Red October from behind a couch! I don't think she had nightmares from it last night, we'll hope that lasts.

The girls got to bed eventually at 10:50 according to Eleanor (they fell asleep earlier according to the mom) and were quiet until 8:30. They ate pancakes and did crafts in the morning. Eleanor missed church, but we figured there was really no reason to make her go at this point---it was her very first sleepover, and she would have been pretty tired and not been able to do any of the crafts with her friends. Next time we'll pick her up earlier.

Now we just have to invite friends over here for a sleepover... Funny, I'm not nearly as excited about the idea as Eleanor is. The tips I've gleaned from this one are 1) tire the kids out beforehand, 2) don't invite too many kids, and 3) schedule enough activities. Are there any more sleepover tips out there?
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