What to do for DD 8th grade graduation?

[FINFAN]

her b-day and graduation are 3 days apart...she has asked if she can invite a friend to go to the movies to celebrate (bless her heart) She does not want a party, she says she does not want to exclude any friends and that it will be too many kids, cost too much $$$ etc. She is dying to go ANYWHERE for a trip this summer...do you think a mommy/DD trip for a few days somewhere would be mean to DH and DS? For 1/ 2 the cost of a party she and I could get away I think....and we have never gone away for a girls trip B4...except the mall...and DH ends up calling and seeing when we are getting back Anyway, we have a ticket for AA and one for UA, can you book a one way flight using flier miles? It would be cool if we could do that! Just starting to think of things. DH says it's o.k. w/him if I take care of arrangements for DS ( and the dog ) I know she wants to go to WDW but I could not do that as DH wants to go too...so that will have to wait...and park TIX would really add $ to the trip. Humor me gang....would you go ahead w/a party and surprise her or try something different? Off to the grocery store...hoping for some good suggestions!
TIA,

Pam

p.s. this kid never asks for anything (unlike her DB) and ALWAYS puts her extra $ and lunch change in the vacation jar...so she would be grateful about it

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I love the girls trip idea! I don't remember what we did to celebrate my 8th grade graduation, but I am sure I would remember a trip featuring just my mom and me. What great memories that would provide!

PS--How about a trip down to the 'Nati?

 

[piglet too]

I think a "girls only" trip would be very nice and very special. What are her intrests, is there someplace that she has always wanted to go?

 

[Kimberle]

Well, I would take her out to lunch or dinner after the ceramony. Just immediate family, maybe grandparents, too, if they are around. She could invite a friend or two. I'd have a small cake that says congratulations and give her a gold locket (necklace or bracelet).

Just me. I'd save the big "party" for high school.

 

[Cruise04]

DD and I do a weekend trip once a year - just to get away. Usually it's nearby - possibly up to a few hours away or might be a day trip to somewhere to just hang out, shop, etc. Or we stay somewhere and then go to a larger city that's within driving distance. I'd love to go away for a girl trip. I think my dd would love that more than a party. She loves to spend time with me thankfully.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

By the way, your DH sounds like my DH "it's ok with him as long as I take care of arrangements for DS" One of these days I will tell him that my arrangement is that he take care of things for the weekend while I am gone! Okay, so then I'd be worried that DS will spend the weekend at school waiting to be picked up!

 

[FINFAN]

Thanks for the ideas, I think I agree to wait on a bash 'till H.S., just that DS and DD graduate HS and 8th grade together in 4 years (hopefully )so then DS will have celebrated both 8th and HS while DD only HS. Unless I don't do a dual grad party thing 4 years from now....I'm getting a headache.
Kimberle, we plan on a casual restaurant after the ceremony, the locket idea is nice, but she's not into jewelry at all, but a small gift to acknowledge her accomplishments will be nice. Guess I better think on this for a while.

 

[mommytotwo]

How about taking her to an amusement park in a town close to your house that you have never visited before? You will be able to drive, so won't have to worry about a plane ticket, and you could arrange a mother daughter manicure for the both of you and have a nice dinner. During each of your adventures, you could pick up maps, brochures, take pictures, ... and when you get back from your trip, you and your daughter can put these things together to remember your trip by.