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When I added #83 to my list, I envisioned inviting five neighbor girls (that I don't know well) over for lunch to get to know each other better. I still intend to do that, but tonight totally accomplished the idea behind why I added this item to my list...10 fold.
Last week, I got a wild hair and made up 50 flyers to pass out to all of the houses on my block. I offered to host a block party BBQ and provide 100% of the food, all in an attempt to meet some of the new families who have moved in to the previously vacant homes in our neighborhood.
I borrowed a bounce house from a friend and put it in one neighbor's yard, had a couple other neighbors bring grills, tables and chairs and we blocked off the street so we didn't have to worry about the kids running all over the place. It was great - I highly recommend doing the same in your neighborhood!
60 people RSVPed and several others arrived unannounced. I hassled two neighbors doing yardwork and one of the couples ended up joining us. I even grabbed a gal on a walk with her daughter and convinced her to join the party. Turns out she has five kids at home and her husband is on a one-year tour in Iraq. She just moved in a month ago and only knows one neighbor!
I also met a gal who had a baby boy the same day I had Jason. I don't remember seeing another pregnant mom during that time - and I was even walking the neighborhood nightly to encourage labor.
Mike was leary that all 50 households would show up (feeding 150-200 people ain't cheap!) but it was a nice sized group. Personally, I was concerned that I invited random people I'd never met, wondering if I should have done a search for registered sex offenders in our neighborhood. Sometimes I don't think before I act!
As it turns out, almost everyone offered to bring something, so we only ended up buying hamburgers, hot dogs, buns and paper products. All of the drinks, chips, fruit and desserts were brought by other families. Plus, so many people showed up that we decided to do it out in the front yard, meaning I didn't have to worry about cleaning my house before or afterward. Bonus!
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#83 on my list of 101 Goals is now crossed off, even though we did dinner instead of lunch and I invited 50 households instead of 5 women. :)
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8 comments:
You continue to amaze me girl. WOW. What a neat idea! Looks like you had lots of fun and met tons of really great people!
Wow...wish you were in my neighbourhood. What a great thing to do!!
Monique
absolute great idea!!
congrats!!!!
warm regards
sibylle
I have one question:
How will you proceed with the relationship with the neighbours?
do you or they plan other meetups?
it would be great to hear more about this.
thx so much,
sibylle
Sibylle - We talked about rotating houses and doing this every fall/spring. I know some of the neighbors made connections and were excited to meet others with same-age kids near their homes.
great! sounds like a wonderful initiative!!
I agree with the Anonymous comment, I wish I was in your neighborhood! :)
Such an amazing idea!!
I wish I was in your neighborhood also. This has been on my mind for years too. It never happens though. Maybe I'll get the courage to do it now after knowing how well yours went. I've always thought all neighbors should do this. Glad it turned out good for you.
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