I’m one of those people that just can’t concentrate on getting something done until a fire is lit under my butt and it’s down to the wire. And that’s exactly what it is…down to the wire for planning EB’s 3rd birthday. I have the general theme in mind and a few ideas, but it’s not planned to the final detail and I only have 9 days. Invitations have not been sent. Is that so bad, really?
I guess I’m just relishing this young kid birthday stuff. Cake, ice cream, a few friends and most of the family and all is right in EB’s world. He’s too little to mortify us by exclaiming “He already HAS that!” to a duplicate gift, or act disappointed if it wasn’t what he wanted. Make no mistake, he most certainly will be taught to show appreciation for whatever he receives, but you know how kids can be.
I’m also glad he’s too young to care about what kind of party he has. And we’re probably getting off a little easier in this respect because he is a boy. Most of the outrageous “I’m going to top your party” stuff I hear about goes on with girls. EB’s birthday is also smack in the dead of winter, so outside partying is pretty much ruled out, which leaves the indoors as our only option. Our town doesn’t have the indoor play areas you can rent, no Chuck E. Cheese…nothing a kid would enjoy, to be perfectly honest.
I was channel surfing tonight and got sucked into MTV’s My Super Sweet 16, where they show Sweet 16 parties of the richest teenagers they can find. These kids get half a million dollar parties, imported cars as birthday gifts, and big name performers at their party. It just boggles my mind. Not in a sour grapes kind of way, just in the “I could think of a million other things to spend that kind of money on” kind of way. And it was while watching this that I realized how good Cracked Daddy and I have it right now. A few balloons…a rockin’ cake….and we can call it good. And it is good, for a three year old.
i’m planning my daughter’s first birthday in April…there will not be 1/2 a mill spent at all either.
*elizabeth
I don’t see why parents do that really? They should put the money away for later legal fees, those rich brats always end up in trouble. lol
Good Morning Mandy,
Oh, I so remember the days when our girls were little and I had to figure out a theme for their parties. We don’t have anything here in our town either, so we have to go out of town to do something for the girls Birthday Parties. We have had parties for them at the Bowling Alley and I think this year they are wanting to have Skating parties. I had rather pay someone to take care of the setting up and cleaning up. LOL. Oh I’ve seen those Sweet 16 parties on MTV. Our oldest daughter who is 11 years old watches it sometimes and has asked us if she could have a party like that. I said real quickly, NO WAY. We don’t have that kind of money. That show just makes me sick in a way. They think money can buy everything. Oh well, that’s just my opinion. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.
Love & Hugs,
Karen H.
Honestly we still do nothing but cake, a gift, and something special with our kids. We never did the outrageous party thing. Micheyla had a small party for her 10th birthday, and she liked that.
On the other hand my SIL is taking her son to Disneyworld for his 3rd birthday….I am sure he will remember every moment, don’t you think?
You describe my weakness well, just light that fire and I get moving
Hey, friend! No, you are not behind. Your son will remember the balloons, and spend hours playing with the boxes and wrapping paper. He doesn’t care about a theme. Just slap a toy dump truck or motorcycle on top of that cake, and he will always remember you as the best mom ever!
For my son’s 6th birthday in December, we had a “camping” party, and set up a tent in the back yard. He opened his presents in the tent.
Last year, we did a “hunting” party, and gave bows and arrows for party favors (from Dollar Tree), and set up a big fake deer (you could use a drawing on posterboard) and let them shoot away.
Just a couple of ideas. He won’t care. He will just remember that his mommy loves him, and planned a party for him.
renae
http://www.renaebrumbaugh.com
That show makes me want to vomit. I would be ashamed to protray my family as that materialistic. Your party perfect to me – no matter the age.
I have never done the big party thing, probably never will. It is SO out of control. I did take my 6 yo to Chuck E Cheese for her birthday last year, but the only people invited were her 4 younger cousins. That was plenty for me, and it was still pricey! I honestly am shocked when people spend hundreds of dollars on a kid’s birthday. And the MTV parties? Don’t even get me started…
I did our biggest party to date last year for both boys combined. I had 12 kids total and lucky for me it was June so we played outside. This year we’re doing much less!! Good luck and have fun!!
~Q
“My Super Sweet 16″ is just INSANE!
SO over the top!
My boys have yet to have a big party and they are five. We/they love the family only party. Next year however, I think they will have their first party with school friends invited, trust me …a half a million dollars will not be spent. lol
I know just how you feeo about a birthday in the middle of winter. Ihave a Nov baby myself and no indoor play area’s either unless we want to drive 2 hrs to get to one, lol.
Natalie’s party is Sunday. Invites didn’t go out and I have to start calling non family members tomorrow. sigh
I HATE BIRTHDAY PARTIES. They stress me out. Try to recruit your mom in on the planning, that always seems to help me make it in one piece. Too bad McDonald’s doesn’t even have a playground anymore… Seriously. It’s just not right.
My guy is turning three in a couple of weeks so I will be joining you in the party planning. The biggest thing for my guy is the cake and candles and having people there to sing. I am going to stay focused on that and try not to get carried away on things he will not care about. Hard to do though.