My youngest is five. Her birthday is Monday. Her first "friend party" was Saturday. We always tell our kids they can have a friend party or a family party. In 14 years of parenting, We've had fewer than 5 friend parties total. If you don't get it, it's hard to explain. I never wanted a friend party either. But Ellen wanted one. So Maggie made invitations. Sam made a sign. I bought hula hoops at Big Lots. Baskin Robbins made the ice cream cake. I love ice cream cake so much. My birthday is in a month and I really hope I get an ice cream cake. They aren't cheap! (But they are classy.) Get your Pinning finger ready.
Have your son, Sam, make a little sign for the party when he wakes up in the morning.
Use decorations from the ward Christmas party three years ago.
Wear pink.
Get hula hoops. Let them be the decorations, an activity, and the party favor.
Have Ellen invent a game called "Picture Frame" and play it in the back yard.
Eat cake with built-in ice cream.
Be done with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. I think back on my time with little kids fondly, but we're moving on. (What's the alternative?)
My parents had a similar thing: we could have a group friend party at the house, OR we could have a single friend party and do something fun (bowling, lunch out), OR we could have a family party. I tried one group friend party and one single-friend party, and chose family parties for ALL the rest.
ReplyDeleteThe memories ARE fond! That is great advice. (the alternative isn't pretty, I'll tell you that)
ReplyDeleteI love it! I love Ellen!
(I love that in 14 years of parenting, we have only had 5 or fewer family parties. Blech.)
Super great party! I love that your family members helped and that you didn't go crazy overboard. Good attitude on saying goodbye to babies and toddlers too! Move on what else can you do except fear the teen years. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteUm...I can't believe Ellen is 5.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely friend party...happy birthday to Ellen!
Milestones and memories. We are just now entering our "last this" and "last that" with our youngest. It's an odd feeling at times.
ReplyDeleteHi, I have an idea for a blog post. You've seen the trailer for the "Alive Inside" documentary? Very old people in nursing homes who seem nearly comatose get all spunky and talkative when they listen to music that they loved in their youth. You can watch it here: http://vimeo.com/10926284 Warning: You will probably cry, but they'll be happy tears.
ReplyDeleteOk, so my blog post idea is for you (and maybe lots of other people) to post their lists of "What To Put On My iPad When I'm in the Nursing Home." See, I'm slightly worried that well-meaning young'uns will just ASSUME that since I grew up in the 80s, I'm going to want to listen to Tiffany and Peter Cetera and "Careless Whisper" over and over again. (Oh man, how I hate "Careless Whisper.") So I think it's important to record your preferences while you still have the chance. For posterity, see?
So, what would spunk YOU up in the nursing home?
If you don't love having teens, you're missing out on one of life's great gifts. I, too, loved having toddlers, but believe me, it just keeps getting better. Happy birthday, beautiful Ellen!
ReplyDeleteI like your party attitude - we live where parties are a VERY BIG DEAL and everyone one-ups everyone else - I think each of my kids had 3 or 4 friend parties - except Phoebe who ALWAYS wanted a friend party. But none of them were elaborate - expensive maybe - I mean, BR cakes are not cheap - I am a fan of them too. Don't say good-bye to babies and toddlerhood though - grandchildren are not far away - watch time fly now!!
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