Child's Birthday party - how would you handle this situation?

My neighbour invited our family to her son's second birthday party yesterday. The day before she asked me what kind of pizza my 4 and 6 year olds would like. I suggested cheese as its simple and most kids will eat it. Several hours before the party I called to say that we would be about 15 minutes late arriving as my youngest son (8 months) was just waking up from his nap. She was fine with that. When we made it over, it was 1:15 and the party had begun at 1:00. Three out of the four boxes of pizza including the cheese pizza had already been eaten by guests that seemed to have arrived much earlier then we (more than 15 minutes at least). The remaining pizza was cold and there was nothing my children would eat. We decided not to say anything but we felt a little awkward (my husband and I) sitting down to eat when everyone else had finished (and all evidence of the pizza was gone) and there was nothing for my other kids. When I asked if there was any other food, my neighbour had nothing that was really appropriate. We were finishing our pizza when my neighbour and the guests went into the next room to sing happy birthday and hand out cake. Needless to say my husband and I felt very uncomfortable and I am a little offended. I'm not sure if it's worth it to say anything but I was just wondering how you might feel in this situation. Do you think I am justified in being offended?

2010-01-31T11:23:28Z

I guess the point I'm making is that a good host might have reserved and kept warm some pizza for a guest who may not be able to make it exactly at 1:00. I have a young baby that has a set nap schedule. I didn't think 15 minutes would make that much of a difference. But what about the fact that guests seemed to have arrived much earlier then we did?

airjarrod2010-01-31T11:19:05Z

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Since YOU were late for the party when almost everybody else was already there, did you really expect them to hold up the party just for you?

You don't think it was rude to be late in the first place?

wife732010-01-31T11:45:51Z

Your neighbor was nice enough to provide free food and even ask what you preferred, but that doesn't mean she has to wait for one guest to arrive, while the rest of them are on time and hungry. You said there was still pizza left anyways. You also said there was more food, but nothing 'appropriate.' What does that even mean? Nothing your children would eat? Also, don't you expect a pizza that's been out for at least 15 minutes to be cold? Should she have kept it warm in the oven or something? You were late, so you should have expected cold food.

Summer2010-01-31T11:38:31Z

Yeah I kind of think you were the rude one. You're the guest it was the other little boy's birthday party. Why should they have waited around for a guest? You're not even related. It's really unfair for you to expect a group of two year olds who arrived on time to delay eating because you are late. I can't even believe she asked you what kind of pizza your kids like. It's her choice and her child's party. You don't have a say in the planning or schedule of it. It sounds like this woman went out of her way to accomodate you. Asking her for more food is totally rude as well. You should have brought your own snacks and your kids could have eaten cake and then eat dinner when they get home.

Anonymous2010-02-01T04:46:42Z

I think you are being offended for no reason you were late its your fault and if you have a 8 months old why didn't you bring food for him? and plus you live close to her u can go real quick to get food for the baby she can't only think of you when she has other guests as well she did nothing intensionally to hurt you

?2010-01-31T11:24:50Z

They do not seem over endowed with manners...but neither do you really. If it were me that had been invited and the baby was asleep, then I would have just gone with my son alone...and left my husbamd to care for the baby...your sson was the one invited and it is very rude to be late to a childs Birthday party. Maybe they were offended.

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