A Party Fit For....A 2-Year-Old

If you saw my post about my 5-year-old's big bash-you'd totally get the title of my post.  Callie's birthday party took two days to prepare for; and a lot of cash.  She likes a lot of pink, lots of glitz, and of course, lots of guests. Clayton on the other hand-he likes quiet.  He doesn't like strangers, and he doesn't like a crowd.  So for once in my life, I finally looked forward to a birthday party.

There wasn't twenty kids running around on a sugar-high, or more presents than we'd know what to do with, or strange people and awkward conversations where you're just trying to fill the silence.  We had a few friends, and just a small number of kiddos.

I realized, this is what life's about.  Spending time with good friends, having good food and drink, and having great conversation with people you truly care about.  It just so happens....Clayton has it figured out.  You don't need the glitz, the glam...and the crowds to have a great life.  Now, if I can just get Callie to figure that out....

How to Make Your Child’s Birthday Party Easy for You ~ Guest Blogger

Birthday parties are a lot of fun for kids, but they’re not always a blast for parents. Parents have to make sure the birthday boy or girl stays happy and all of the other little party guests stay safe and relatively well behaved. So, there’s little time for parents to sit back, relax, and enjoy the company of like-minded individuals at a children’s birthday party. Once it’s all said and done, though, few parents regret throwing their children birthday parties year after year. The smile on your child’s face after he or she finishes blowing out the birthday candles makes all the effort worth it. Still, you might be wondering how to make things easier on yourself when you’re planning and throwing your child’s party. Here are a some tips to help you do that:

Don’t procrastinate

It is sometimes difficult to fit planning a party into your busy schedule, especially if you work full-time and have a whole list of other responsibilities to take care of on a daily basis. However, it’s essential that you set aside some time for planning and prepping for your child’s party. If you wait until the last minute to order the party supplies, bake the cake, prepare the party snacks, and plan the party activities, you’re almost certainly going to have a tough, stressful time. If you take care of all of this in advance, however, you won’t have to scramble.

Remember that busy children are happy children

There’s nothing worse than having a bunch of bored children over at your house for a few hours. So, plan out some fun activities for the kids to play throughout the party, or consider throwing the shindig at a party play center like an indoor moon bounce arena. Just keep the kids occupied, so they stay out of trouble and don’t get in any tiffs.

Make sure you have some helpers

Make sure your older children and spouse are at the party to help you out. Additionally, you may want to ask other family members to come or ask some of the parents of the party guests to come. If there are a good amount of adults and older children at the party, you won’t have to worry as much about supervising the kids at all times, all by yourself. 

Don’t expect perfection

A party for kids is not going to be perfect. One of the party guests may spill punch on your white sofa, and your child may end up getting in a fight with his or her best friend. Additionally, one of the children at the party will inevitably trip, fall, and scrape a knee. Make sure you have a first aid kit on hand, phone numbers that will allow you to reach all the parents of the party guests, and a “go with the flow” attitude. Expecting everything to go as planned is unrealistic, and you’ll feel a lot less frustrated when things do go wrong if you adjust your expectations.

About the Author: Melissa is a guest blogger who writes about being a mom, ways to handle stress as a parent, and where to find Mario party supplies.  http://www.thepartyworks.com/

Happy Birthday Callie Jo!

 

My precious Callie Jo was born 1/21/2007 at 5:33 am, 8pds, 21 inches long.  I remember being that mother; thinking I had the prettiest little girl, fawning all over her and always having her dressed in the prettiest outfits with matching bows.  As she grew older, she could do no wrong!  She was perfect…and I was so proud.

It wasn’t until I had my son I realized the love I felt for Callie had to be multiplied by two.  I had to make time now for two amazing little human beings, to nurture and teach them how to be the best they can be, to assure that I had done everything to prepare them for this wondrous yet difficult life.  It got much harder to give my daughter the attention she needed as I had to divide my already limited time.

This is where Callie has amazed me.  She loves her brother like he is her own.  If another child so much as speaks cross to him, she is in their face.  She nearly breaks down crying if we punish him for something that he has done—she has went as far as to hit her father when he’s swatted Clayton’s hand.  She will love and protect him for all time, this is for sure.

I’ve learned so much from my daughter in these past five amazing years, but one thing is certain—she’s replaced a longing I’ve always had.  A little girl to join me for pedicures and manicures, a small little princess to revel in the excitement of new cute outfits and fancy knee high boots.  While I must be her mother and the disciplinarian, I will struggle with separating this relationship from a friendship as we connect on such a deep level.  She’s my best friend, my daughter, my everything.

I look at you Callie, and in you I see an amazing little girl; a giving and loving human being.  In you, I see a large part of me.  I am so lucky to be your mother and look forward to the many fun years we have ahead of us.  I love you and hope you have the most amazing fifth birthday ever!    LOVE MOM!