We’ve always done the same kind of party for each of the kids’ birthdays: the night before the festivities begin we fill enough helium balloons to encompass a room, shiny streamers are strung, and presents wearily wrapped. The day of, the first one to rise wakes up everyone else. Then we lumber into the living room as a group, where little eyes grow wide at the multi-color floating orbs and presents wait to be unwrapped.
Later in the day, my family comes over for a quaint get-together. My brother had to work this time, he’ll be over later this week instead, so it was a late afternoon with my parents. J fixed hot dogs on the grill, Buzz opened more gifts, then it was time to sing “Happy Birthday” with candled chocolate cake and ice cream.
I hear of these soirees with extravagant themes and houses full of relatives eager to celebrate. We don’t have a close extended family, to say the least. The last time I saw any aunts, uncles or cousins was at a funeral 7 years ago, most of whom I didn’t even recognize. I sometimes worry if I’m doing my kids a disservice by not having that. We all worry about something, right?
But then they’re happy and they’re loved and they know it. That’s what counts. Buzz had a great time, without any idea of what he might have been missing. We’re in the same boat, actually, because I never had that kind of party growing up, either. I was lucky if my grandparents even sent a card. At least my children will never have to worry about that. Their grandparents think they’re pretty awesome. I tend to agree.
Sounds very nice and low-key. Tradition is the important thing, in my book. It is always nice to have those things to look forward to over the course of the year. I really think kids thrive on that stuff.
With the exact opposite plan in mind (simplicity, that is), I totally overdid Tabby’s b’day. It gets out of control SO quickly. We are somewhat hemmed in by the opposite problem. We have a lot of pretty close extended family in the area and that makes it big FAST. Throw in just a couple of friends and YIKES!
We are in the same boat with the family thing…and being an only child, I worry. I just focus on our little family and try to make him feel special.
Simple and small is ALWAYS better. I love to have a big party, but since we really have very little family, I invite my tot’s friends. No big inflatable jumpers, just some simple old school games and cupcakes. Birthday parties have kind of gotten out of hand, I think.
Buzz’s b-day sounds awesome!
Best,
Tina
@jesser, I honestly can’t wait until my gets in school and have friends they can invite over. They have my brother’s kids, but again, he had to work. I’ll probably be regretting that statement after the first few times of 20 kids running my house, though.
We just finished having a birthday party for my daughter’s wooden frog toy this afternoon … She organized it and insisted on candles, a party hat, balloons (imaginary), and presents. Guess we’ve got our traditions squared away, too!
And store-made buttercream icing?? Nothing. Better.
.-= Stacia´s latest blog post: Splitting Heirs =-.
You describe the exact kind of party I had growing up. I always thought it was great. So far my kids have had similar parties except I make their cake from a box mix. I like to pretend I can decorate cakes.
.-= Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)´s latest blog post: What I Learned: April 2010 =-.
@Marilyn (A Lot of Loves), My mom always made a box mix, too. I tried for Jedi’s 1st birthday, but wound up crying on the kitchen floor when it didn’t turn out right at all, convinced that I had ruined his birthday. Ever since, we’ve just bought one.