A very important birthday is coming up in a few weeks. No, not mine...Alice's. She's turning 4.
What the what!? When did that happen? How is it even possible that she's almost 4 all ready?
Anyway. Any mother knows a birthday and a party go hand in hand. It's expected. People start asking about the impending party weeks, even months in advance.
Suffice it to say, I'm actively planning a birthday party. Except, I'm not. Let me elaborate, I'm having a party for Alice, but I'm not actively doing anything about it. It's refreshing!
The previous years, I have found the party planning to be exhausting, daunting really. I'd create lists and lists within lists, spreadsheets even. I was worried about having enough food, too much food, and foods to feed my picky eater. I'd lose sleep thinking about the entertainment planned for the party. Will the little kids be entertained and the big kids engaged at the same time? What about the adults? At a 2 year old's party, you tend to have a fair amount of adults. Then, there are the party favors. What do I give that kids will enjoy and isn't going to be broken or thrown in the trash the next day? You'd think I was planning Kendal Jenner's sweet 16 party, and frankly, that may have been less stressful.
Something happened this year. Something clicked. Maybe it's my attempt to be more carefree and easy going. Maybe I'm figuring this mom thing out, finally. I don't know. I do know I haven't made one list, not even a mental note in preparation for this party. I didn't send out invitations. I told a few people the date and time, and I finally got around to send out an evite yesterday. I'm not allowing this birthday party to stress me out. Kids will attend. They will have fun. There will be cake. And isn't that all that really matters anyway?
Bubbles and play-doh can be found at K-Mart, Target, WalMart or pretty much any other chain store in party favor size. The play-doh even comes with To/From stickers, which make it easy to make goody bags. Take a paper bag and throw in a package of those teeny rasins, a cheese stick and the play-doh and BAM! party favors done. The bubbles even provide a little entertainment.
ReplyDeleteAs for food, get a bunch of cold cuts, cheeses, and other sandwich making stuff and let the kids make their own sandwiches. Sure, it might be a little messy, but the kids will get fed, the picky eaters will get to choose what they like best, and you won't have kids on pure sugar high.
Most importantly, fill a travel mug with the booze of your choice and keep it close to hand during the party! Have fun, and happy birthday, Alice!!!!!
Very true! Hope Alice has a great birthday!
ReplyDeleteI've managed to find a good balance with planning but not overplanning. I just wish I could cut out the family birthday and just have one for friends because so far I've been doing two birthday parties and that's really one too many!
I am all for cake and stress-free planning. Will there also be champagne or are 4 year olds not into that these days? Happy birthday to Alice!
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