MARK MY WORD: WHEN YOU'RE PLANNING A SLUMBER PARTY, DON'T FORGET THE BARBIES

Let your daughters' girlfriends spend the night and suddenly you are flooded with Barbies.

I never knew we had so many Barbies until the sleep-over Friday night.

In recent months, the Barbies have been spending most of their time camped out in a storage container on top of the doll house in our daughters' room.

But when our friend's daughters stayed over Friday night, the Barbies decided it was time for a party.

They took over the house, along with Ken, who had to endure having his hair put into a pony tail.

Most of the Barbies appear to be members of some nudist camp. They have the very best in doll attire, but they seldom get to wear it.

That's because Becca and Bailey like to undress Barbie and leave the doll clothes scattered on the carpet.

Becca and her friend, Allie, like to play dress-up themselves. Becca has a whole wardrobe of play clothes and play shoes.

When you're 5, it's almost impossible to hang up clothes. I'm convinced, it's gravity that's to blame for this untidy mess.

Kids just can't combat that powerful force of nature.

Parents don't need Isaac Newton's famous apple to know about gravity. It's a visible sight in any kid's room.

If we ever send kids to space, we might want to limit their wardrobes. Otherwise, there would be clothes floating all over the place.

Joni painted the kids' fingernails bright red. Even Bailey got in on the act.

I managed to avoid having my nails done. Even dads have to draw the line somewhere.

At age 10, Katie had to endure the antics of her sister, Allie, as well as Becca.

It's tough to watch the "Sound of Music" when everyone's playing loudly around you.

Becca, who likes baths about as much as a cat, jumped at the chance to take the plunge with Allie.

To Becca, this wasn't a bath. It was a pool party. They both managed to have a splashing good time and even managed to wash their hair without flooding the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Bailey, who is 1 1/2 years old, took a bath in the kitchen sink.

Joni managed to rinse dishes on one side, while bathing Bailey on the other.

Personally, I think Joni has elevated bathing to new heights.

If only someone would invent a machine that would wash dishes and children at the same time.

Becca, Allie and Katie all camped out on a mattress in the living room.

The rest of us had the upstairs to ourselves.

They all slept well, even the Barbies. Exhaustion has a way of doing that to you.

We managed to haul them -- the kids, not the Barbies -- down to Broadway to watch the Southeast Missouri State University homecoming parade Saturday.

Several friends and relatives joined us on the corner, where we had an excellent view of the bands and floats.

With a whole bunch of kids crowded around, we had the corner to ourselves.

Kids have a way of getting the best curbside seats. You have to be there if you want to get all that free candy.

They came away with their share of plastic beads and candy.

It all made for a successful homecoming. Next year, we might have to bring the Barbies along too.

But only if they're dressed.

~Mark Bliss is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.