The Robert's Snow auctions ended on Friday, and even though I was not as involved with the project as before, I decided to continue the tradition of having the end-of-auction celebratory party. But I had a rather distracting week, so when Friday rolled around I had done nothing to prepare for the party except put up the tree.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wJp3qEtII/AAAAAAAAA5w/vUv9PQe5-E0/s200/tree.gif)
But, lucky for me, I have some amazing friends; and faster than you can say
blue rose girls...
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wJlnqEtHI/AAAAAAAAA5o/JN5oPmNKapw/s200/bluerosegirls.gif)
I had a party spread to be proud of...
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wJgnqEtGI/AAAAAAAAA5g/7b-Q00-Lk4s/s200/food.gif)
for my many fine and lovely guests.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wKXnqEtJI/AAAAAAAAA54/QjOHYjR-KqM/s200/party.gif)
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It was great seeing and speaking to everyone that came; and it reminded me how wonderful a community the children's book industry is and how fortunate I am to be a part of it. But I have to admit, the highlight of the party for me was when Ben (of Little, Brown) challenged me to a game of wii tennis. I think the exact conversation went like this:
Ben: Grace, I'm taking you down. I'm not afraid of you.
Grace: Bring it on, dude.
Ben: Oh yeah, take that!
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wJNHqEtDI/AAAAAAAAA5I/LZvzTRLZ-yY/s200/ben_grace11.gif)
Grace:I can take that. Can you?
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wJJnqEtCI/AAAAAAAAA5A/Q7f5JE0bL00/s200/ben_grace2.gif)
Ben: HA! Got it! Is that the best you can do?
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wJDHqEtBI/AAAAAAAAA44/3tzGa6AtbHE/s200/ben_grace3.gif)
Grace: No, but this is.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wI4nqEtAI/AAAAAAAAA4w/fePKNy9uHH8/s200/ben_grace4.gif)
Ben: What the *?%$@#* was that? Eeeks! Okay, I take it back, I am scared.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ivRDSeXHgUg/R1wIyXqEs_I/AAAAAAAAA4o/Lj_FTno9GDY/s200/ben_grace_end.gif)
Poor Ben, he didn't realize that even though I may not prepare well for a party, a wii game is something I'm always ready for.