How do you top a dance club birthday party, one year later? Why, you roll out the red carpet, of course. Literally.

This movie premiere was a star-studded event of celebrity proportions, complete with velvet ropes to cordon off the entry path and keep the paparazzi and autograph seekers at bay. The leading ladies arrived at the affair chauffeured by their private drivers, all dolled up in their most glamorous gowns. As they strolled their way down the red carpet, they noted the stars bearing the names of each attendee, in their own Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the door, a full size movie poster announced the private screening of Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

After all the movie stars had made their grand entrance, frenzied fans (a.k.a. Mom and Dad) demanded group photo ops on the red carpet. The dazzling ingenues radiated charm and vogued for the camera like pros. Then the girls settled in for the movie in a decked out, high tech, private home theater that is the spitting image of romantically grand but intimate theaters of the past, from the days before multiplexes ruled the motion picture experience. Meanwhile, the concession stand worked overtime to churn out enough popcorn and drinks to satisfy the demands of 13 hungry moviegoers. And proving that celebrities are no different from the rest of us, there was, like at any public function, a line for the ladies room.

Special Note: The academy would like to thank a pair of very brave grandparents for donating the use of their home for the gala festivities, and also for having the foresight to dream their unused “bonus room” into said private theater—complete with reclining theater seats, wall sconce light fixtures, 110-inch movie screen framed by velvet drapes and a fringed valance, and special rope lighting to illuminate the steps in the dark.

Following the movie, it was time for presentation of the “Maia Awards,” as voted on by anonymous movie critics (a.k.a. Maia) ahead of time. Awards were presented in the following categories, accompanied by small Oscar® look-alike statues, with an acceptance speech or two thrown in:

• Best Comedic Actress
• Best Dramatic Actress
• Best Dressed for the Red Carpet
• Best Hollywood Smile
• Best Red Carpet Walk
• Most Glamorous Hairstyle
• Most Likely to Enter a Magical Wardrobe
• Most Likely to Save Narnia
• Most Likely to Star in a Disney Movie
• Most Photographed by Paparazzi
• Most Sparkling Personality

And a few Honorable Mentions for the younger friends and relatives in attendance:

• Best Performance as a Little Brother
• Best Performance as a Little Sister
• Excellence in Adorableness
• Excellence in Cuteness

The entire group then retreated downstairs for the “after party,” consisting of presents, cake, a little dancing, and much noise.

By all counts, the party was a success. And the most important critic of all, a certain nine-year-old birthday girl, raves: “It was the best party in the history of parties!” It’s a good thing she’s old enough to remember it, because although this exhausted Mom had extreme fun planning this one, I do believe we’ve reached the pinnacle of over-the-top birthday party themes and are now very well stocked in all things Webkins, Hannah Montana, and High School Musical. Next year we’ll be downscaling the pomp and opting for a good old-fashioned slumber party instead. Where, I am sure, no one will actually sleep.