March Bunco Night!

Krista, Claire, Dana Marie and Gina

Members of the Naperville Moms Network gathered at my home on Friday night for our monthly Bunco event.  Almost twenty women stood around my kitchen eating, laughing, drinking and either getting to know each other after just meeting or catching up with old friends for the better part of two hours before the actual Bunco playing got started.  As always, we were thrilled to be joined by new members to the network, as well as current members that had never attended a Bunco night.  The variety of delicious treats and cocktails were overwhelming, and there was barely enough counter space to hold everything.  When I agreed to host Bunco, I had never been to a Bunco night that had more than 8 people in attendance.  When 22 people attended last month and just as many replied that they were coming this month, my borderline Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder kicked in and the cleaning, organizing, straightening, etc. began.  On Tuesday, I stressed out in a status update on Facebook, wondering if I had time to repaint my kitchen cabinets prior to Bunco because I was in a panic over how they looked.  Almost as quick as I posted it, the wonderful moms in our network reminded me that Bunco nights were NOT about what my house looked like.  Instead they were about spending time together, connecting as moms and friends, and having a great time!  That reminder was exactly what I needed to set my insecurities aside and just get ready for a fun evening.  Once the party started, I was definitely teased for my silliness earlier in the week - with one member even joking that she was bringing green dots over to mark all the dings in the paint!  I am blessed with group of friends that can call me on my craziness in a loving way and still turn it in to a joke!

Once we managed to squeeze ourselves around my dining room table (I can't believe all of us fit!), the Bunco began.  Because we were so squished together and the table was so long, the anteing of our twenty-five cents became similar to a game of "quarters" - bouncing them off the table and trying to get them in to the center.  A few landed in the cake, rolled off the table, bounced in to hilarious places on people and one even made it squarely in to a wine glass!  The hilarity ensued when some how the topic of glow-sticks came up and I pulled out my large supply and five minutes later, everyone had colorful bracelets.  (For the record, I have a stash of glow sticks because when my kids were little, I used them to make bath time entertaining.  Crack a couple in different colors, throw them in the water, and turn the lights off - it adds a lot of fun and a unique twist!).  We laughed, we lost track of what number we were on more times than I can count, nibbled on snacks, made jokes and actually finished three entire rounds of Bunco - a first in our group!  Congratulations to Dana Marie who won a TRIPLE pot!

Members of the Naperville Moms Network

I encourage anyone who wants to have a fun and relaxing evening with a great bunch of women to join the Naperville Moms Network and attend one of our Bunco nights.  There is absolutely no obligation to become a hostess if you attend - the only obligation is to have fun!  All you need to bring with you is $5.00 in quarters, a dessert or appetizer to pass, and a beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) of your choice.  In addition to a great time, our generous Moms voluntarily contributed $110 towards the Valerie Jones Memorial Fund - something that we donate to at every Bunco night.  Thank you to everyone that came to my home and shared in a fantastic evening, and a special thanks to C.J. Lydon for helping keep all of us in food and beverage while we were playing, and Jeannie Coe for lending me folding chairs so we all had a place to sit.   My sweetheart would like to extend a special thanks all of the ladies who brought delicious desserts and left them behind - he has been in heaven snacking on them!

For more information on the Naperville Moms Network and the next Bunco night, please check out the website at napervillemomsnetwork.com or follow us on Twitter @NapervilleMoms.  For more information on the Valerie Jones Memorial Fund, please see www.beidelmankunschfh.com or call 630-922-9630.