Birthday Busyness

Our little angel turns 4-year-old on Monday, May 1st. We are preparing for two birthday parties: one for kids and one for our family. Thank the gods that my MIL talked me out of splitting the family gathering into two separate occasions, making the total three parties. That would have been madness.

As it is, we’re staring down the barrel of two cakes, two sets of paper-products/utensils, activities for children, goodie bags for child-guests, gifts, balloons, seating, food for two armies, etc. Not to mention the cleaning. I was OK till today—today I got stressed.

Part of the problem lies in Lucas’s unwillingness to decide on any “theme.” We decided we would entertain the kids at Saturday’s party with finger painting. It’s messy, but not rules-based, fun. This age group doesn’t do “organized activities” all that well, and frankly, I’m not a good organizer of children or children’s activities. More than three kids in a room makes me nervous. Honestly, I don’t know how I survived my public schooling. (Maybe that’s where my PTSD comes from.)

So, anyway our only “theme” is “birthday.” Every time we ask Lucas what kind of cake he would like to have (to thereby determine what type of decorations we should have) he says something like: “Cinderella-Thomas-Percy-Harold the Helicopter-Belle-Snow White-Cowgirl-Lava Girl cake!” As I already mentioned to Parnasus, I fear no cake could possibly live up to his expectations. Nevertheless, I’m in a cake conundrum. We’re trying for the “cowboy/girl” idea, but we aren’t having a lot of luck.

Parnasus, bless her heart, has agreed to tell a story during the kiddie party. This is wonderful and perfect and really nothing could make me happier. I know the children will love it!

As for the family party, I only have two words to say: POT LUCK
Oh, and I’m buying that second cake.

P.S. Some sappy reflections on my baby turning 4 may follow sometime soon. Jeez! Has it really been FOUR YEARS?

4 Responses to “Birthday Busyness”

  • dakini_grl
    April 28, 2006 at 2:03 am

    My heart goes squish just thinking about it. I love that little man. He was such a cute little bologna loaf and he seemed so ancient when he was new in his little knit cap. I remember that impossible Winston Churchill-esque face he had. How serious. All that was missing was the cigar. And how he fit in just one of your love’s hands.

    He tells so many stories now! I love the way he fits the world together at his age. His natural charm. And you know, I believe if the cake is yummy and nothing more, it will be perfect. Theme? Yummy cake. With love and yummy cake. Perfect.

    Reply

  • kimkimkaree
    April 28, 2006 at 12:52 pm

    All that matters is how he will look back on his party pictures when he is 40 and know that his parents went to a lot of trouble to make him happy. My parents chose the themes to our parties when we were little based on what we liked and they never went wrong. Cowboy/girl sounds perfect.

    Reply

  • sarabellae
    April 29, 2006 at 12:18 am

    Yep, that was a crazy and exciting time when Lucas was born. He was, in many ways, not what I expected. He surprises me with at least one thing every single day. I think that’s wonderful.

    Reply

  • sarabellae
    April 29, 2006 at 12:21 am

    The cake drama resolved itself satisfactorily: We went to Raleys and bought one. To my relief, he did not request Barbie, Little Mermaid, Cinderella, NASCAR, The Hulk, or Power Rangers. He took one look at a Fischer Price “Little People” farm cake and decided that’s what he wanted. Tomorrow, after $19 change hands, we will have cake.

    The kiddos are arriving at 10:30 am. and will be here til 1:00 pm. Wish us luck, please.

    Reply

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  • About Sara

    Thanks for visiting! I’m Sara, editor and writer, wife to Ian, and mother of two precious boys. I am living each day to the fullest and with as much grace, creativity, and patience as I can muster. This is where I write about living, loving, and engaging fully in family life and the world around me. I let my hair down here. I learn new skills here. I strive to be a better human being here. And I tell the truth.

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