Birthday Parties



my birthday party in the backyard



     Yet another Saturday I'm not working. Today I actually got to go to a birthday party with my kids. I missed quite a few over the years as I was working. The kids did not miss them as my husband was always home and able to take them. Today we all went together. That is except the big boys who are with their dad. This wasn't exactly a party for them anyway.

     Today was at JUMP in Ronkonkoma. I knew the kids would have a blast as it was a different type of party than they had ever been to before. Centralized around jumping and playing in huge air blown bounce and play houses. Last week my neice had the petting zoo come to her house for her birthday. For Emilys party in June we had it at Krazy Kids, another indoor play type area, right down the road from us. My big boys have done Lazer Tag, Fun 4 All and Bowling parties. Movies too as they've gotten older. There was also one at Wood Kingdom. And of course Plaster Paint Palace, or a few at places like that since I don't think that place actually exsists anymore. There are so many of these places for parties now. Not many kids have a birthday party at home anymore.

     I know the kids love these parties at places. I definitely wouldn't let them miss one for no good reason. I just think the prices get a little crazy. We all want to give our kids everything they want. Sometimes that's just not easy to do. We swung Emily's party by having it on a weeknight and limiting it to the minimum number of guests, eight. That's how we could do it. I tried to talk her into something else. We had only invited school girlfriends for the outside party. We of course had a home family party with immediate family and cousins too. I of course did not go all out for it as the money was going to the party place. She still got two cakes and plenty of gifts.
     Growing up I don't believe I ever had a birthday party NOT at home. And I always had a party. Even my sweet 16 was at home. Usually my whole class was invited. At least in elementary school. That was almost thirty kids sometimes. But when each extra kid doesn't cost $12.95 or so to invite it's more workable. There was also always more time to spend together at the party. Every minute wasn't planned what the kids were supposed to do. They(we), made our own fun. I remember one year my friends and I took down all the streamers my mother hung and wrapped each other up as mummies. At a place, I think the maximum party time I've seen is 2 maybe 2 and 1/2hours. And forget about ever seeing the birthday child open your present. The presents were part of the fun. Opening your new toys and playing with them with your friends. I guess now kids learn to write out thank you cards much earlier to send out after opening their gifts at home. Which isn't a bad lesson just not as much fun.

my 1st grade birthday party

     Maybe if I were rich and I could give my kids any type of party at any place they wanted I'd feel differently. Maybe. But what would they learn then? You CAN always get what you what? I guess that's not a very good lesson either. So my kids will learn a litttle more about money matters and what's more important to them. Emily chose a smaller party at a place over a larger party for a longer time at home. My big boys who have never been very social pick something different to do like a theme park(Dorney last year) and the trapeze class this year instead of a party. Of course they get the family one and cake and presents too. As this is Jake's first year of preschool with his own friends we'll see what happens come May when he turns 5. And we'll do what we can to work what he wants in with our birthday party budget.