This weekend AK had her first birthday party.
Well, not HER first birthday party. She is two and all.
What I mean is, she got invited to celebrate someone else's birthday for the first time. Well, that's not exactly right either. She has been to other parties, but mostly as LP's little sister, not as a friend of the birthday boy or girl. And to confuse things even more, she was invited to TWO parties - one Saturday and one Sunday.
Being a glutton for punishment, I RSVP'd in the affirmative for both.
I have a hard time believing that my baby is big enough to have friends having "real" birthday parties. While it is true that she is on the young end of her class - having just turned two while a bunch of the kids are turning three and transitioning to the next room - she still does her best to keep up. And she for sure knows from parties. On Saturday as soon as she finished her slice of pizza she called out, "CAKE! I WANT CAKE!" Making mama proud.
Sunday we were a bit rushed getting to the second party. The original plan was that the Hoos would chill with LP at home or elsewhere while I took AK. Instead, as it turned out, the Hoos and LP drove AK and me to the party. And, when I went to take AK out of the car, LP unbuckled herself from her booster and dashed out of the car announcing, "I want to come to the party too!"
Oy.
I told her she could stand on the side and watch with me. That worked, right?
Fortunately, the hosting family was very gracious and encouraged LP to participate - and eat pizza and cake. We drew the line at letting her take a goodie bag.
I see this being an ongoing challenge. It was one thing when I dragged one year old AK to LP's friends' parties. She didn't eat much, she couldn't participate and she certainly did not need a goodie bag. Plus, LP's friends' parents are my friends, so I don't mind imposing on them (thanks ladies!).
Should be interesting as AK gets invited to more parties. I am still exhausted from the weekend and can't think about it anymore. Just makes me want to take a nap.
Showing posts with label party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label party. Show all posts
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Wild Rumpus
The Bat Mitzvah Saturday was fabulous. My niece rocked her haftorah (the longest possible), torah readings and other requirements. LP and AK both stayed in the sanctuary for two hours - including all of the most important parts, which was awesome. They were really wonderfully behaved.
The luncheon was great, full of family and friends. LP had a particularly good time, playing with M's friends and some second cousins in from NJ. She and AK both ran around like crazy kids and we were sure they would both crash and take nice long naps. Which would have been good, because later that night was part II of the celebration, a party for M and her friends.
AK napped for almost three hours. LP, exhausted and cranky, fought it the whole way. We were really worried for how she would hold up at the party - which was slated from 7-10. We had already anticipated leaving early, but with LP not napping, we thought it would be a really early night. Instead, LP rallied. And by rallied, I mean partied like a rockstar. The girl has some moves! She was great. In fact, both LP and AK were still awake when we rolled into our driveway at 11.
The luncheon was great, full of family and friends. LP had a particularly good time, playing with M's friends and some second cousins in from NJ. She and AK both ran around like crazy kids and we were sure they would both crash and take nice long naps. Which would have been good, because later that night was part II of the celebration, a party for M and her friends.
AK napped for almost three hours. LP, exhausted and cranky, fought it the whole way. We were really worried for how she would hold up at the party - which was slated from 7-10. We had already anticipated leaving early, but with LP not napping, we thought it would be a really early night. Instead, LP rallied. And by rallied, I mean partied like a rockstar. The girl has some moves! She was great. In fact, both LP and AK were still awake when we rolled into our driveway at 11.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Busting at the Seams
I love birthdays. I am thrilled to bits that my little girls have grown and changed and developed over the last year and I absolutely feel that it is worth celebrating with family and friends.This year for the first time we had a birthday party for LP that included folks outside of our families. It was time for LP to have a "real" party, since she has been attending her friends' parties and was finally wise enough to ask about her own to-do.
We also changed the venue up from a backyard BBQ. Despite the fact that both of my girls are born in months where pizza in the yard would be suitable, I had to insist on a venue change. This was done for several reasons, including the inability of my home to comfortably accommodate 15 3-year-olds and their families and my inability to fathom how I would entertain the aforementioned crew for an hour and a half. 
The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport ended up working out perfectly. At least we think everyone had a great time. And hopefully everyone took a good nap on the ride home.
Even though we did not hold the party at our home, it is still filled with stuff. Because, inevitably, as you invite more people in to your celebration, they feel obligated to bring gifts. As it was I was shoe-horning in new (but not purchased by the Hoos or me..hmm...) toys and trying to cycle out toys that haven't actually been touched in a while. Now we have approximately two dozen new toys - each with what seems to be at least two dozen parts that require space.
The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport ended up working out perfectly. At least we think everyone had a great time. And hopefully everyone took a good nap on the ride home.
Even though we did not hold the party at our home, it is still filled with stuff. Because, inevitably, as you invite more people in to your celebration, they feel obligated to bring gifts. As it was I was shoe-horning in new (but not purchased by the Hoos or me..hmm...) toys and trying to cycle out toys that haven't actually been touched in a while. Now we have approximately two dozen new toys - each with what seems to be at least two dozen parts that require space.
I am not trying to sound ungrateful. In fact, I spent Sunday evening writing thank you notes. We are very thankful and appreciative. LP is over the moon with her good fortune. I am just being a mom. It's my job.
Oddly enough, after opening a handful of gifts the other day, LP just suddenly stopped. When I handed her the next wrapped gift in the pile, she shook her head and said, "I don't want to open it." I tried a different present, "Nope, I'm done."
This is weird, right? Do other kids just decide to stop opening gifts? She did open them eventually, but it took some cajoling.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A Tough Lesson
The past two mornings, LP has woken up while I am getting ready in the morning calling out, "MOMMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!". The Hoos tries to shush her, both for fear of her waking up AK, who miraculously continues to sleep through the night, and because he wants a few more minutes of peace before his day is invaded.
When I go into her room to see what the problem is, she insists that today should be her birthday. You see, she knows the actual date of her birthday, even if she doesn't know today's date. Which makes things difficult when you try to explain that today is the 21st and her birthday is the 28th, "Baby, there are seven days between now and your birthday." She gives me the "Whatever" look and continues whining about today being her birthday.
What will be even better is that her actual birthday is on a Thursday and her party is three days later on Sunday. It will be a lot of fun to try to explain that she is going to school - and bringing mini-cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles as per her request - and not the zoo.
Tonight the Hoos is going to make a paper chain with her so that she can tear off a link every day leading up to her birthday, in hopes that this gives her a better concept of time and timing. I doubt it will actually work, but if it buys me an extra half hour of sleep during the long holiday weekend, it will be worth it.
When I go into her room to see what the problem is, she insists that today should be her birthday. You see, she knows the actual date of her birthday, even if she doesn't know today's date. Which makes things difficult when you try to explain that today is the 21st and her birthday is the 28th, "Baby, there are seven days between now and your birthday." She gives me the "Whatever" look and continues whining about today being her birthday.
What will be even better is that her actual birthday is on a Thursday and her party is three days later on Sunday. It will be a lot of fun to try to explain that she is going to school - and bringing mini-cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles as per her request - and not the zoo.
Tonight the Hoos is going to make a paper chain with her so that she can tear off a link every day leading up to her birthday, in hopes that this gives her a better concept of time and timing. I doubt it will actually work, but if it buys me an extra half hour of sleep during the long holiday weekend, it will be worth it.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Survivor!
We did it! We survived the craziness of having nine drooling, cutie little infants; two adorable toddlers; eight jolly daddies; and nine amazing mommies crammed in to our cozy house. I didn't think it could withstand having 27 people (seriously, I dreamed about my house exploding and having to kick everyone out), but it did. And we even had a good time to boot.
And we have tons of leftovers. Everyone was not only nice, they were very generous contributors to our potluck.
Firefly families, it was nice to know you; AK starts transitioning to the Caterpillar room on Monday. Until we meet again.
In addition to today's adventures, last night our family of four went to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. LP was excited about it and kept asking me for her basketball glove. At least she enjoys sports, even if she does confuse them.
We were a little concerned when we got there and entered the Arena to find our seats and LP refused to climb the last step. You sort of enter very close to the floor and "Globie," the Globetrotters mascot, was entertaining the crowd in the center of the gym prior to the main event. Thankfully once I carried her up the several flights of stairs to our actual seats she calmed down and even had a good time. She learned how to yell boo and make the thumbs down motion. AK mostly enjoyed looking at the people sitting behind us. Fortunately the two teenage boys were good sports and laughed at made faces at her.
I know that LP is definitely related to me because apparently she likes salty snacks over sweet ones. Given the choice of ice cream or popcorn she was PSYCHED for a box of popcorn. The Hoos has a sweet tooth. I guess you would say I have more of a savory one.
All in all we have had a good, busy weekend. And it is only 4:30 on Saturday. We are expecting the Hoos' parents, as well as his brother and his family for "brunch for dinner."
And we have tons of leftovers. Everyone was not only nice, they were very generous contributors to our potluck.
Firefly families, it was nice to know you; AK starts transitioning to the Caterpillar room on Monday. Until we meet again.
In addition to today's adventures, last night our family of four went to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. LP was excited about it and kept asking me for her basketball glove. At least she enjoys sports, even if she does confuse them.
We were a little concerned when we got there and entered the Arena to find our seats and LP refused to climb the last step. You sort of enter very close to the floor and "Globie," the Globetrotters mascot, was entertaining the crowd in the center of the gym prior to the main event. Thankfully once I carried her up the several flights of stairs to our actual seats she calmed down and even had a good time. She learned how to yell boo and make the thumbs down motion. AK mostly enjoyed looking at the people sitting behind us. Fortunately the two teenage boys were good sports and laughed at made faces at her.
I know that LP is definitely related to me because apparently she likes salty snacks over sweet ones. Given the choice of ice cream or popcorn she was PSYCHED for a box of popcorn. The Hoos has a sweet tooth. I guess you would say I have more of a savory one.
All in all we have had a good, busy weekend. And it is only 4:30 on Saturday. We are expecting the Hoos' parents, as well as his brother and his family for "brunch for dinner."
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Potty Party Pics
Here are some pics, thanks to the multi-talented dad JM, from the fabulous Potty Party.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Needed: A Head Examination
When LP was an infant the Hoos and I were unsure of how to develop relationships with the other families in her day care class. We recognized people, and in some cases even knew their names, but basically our interactions were limited to a "hi" and "bye" at drop-off and pick-up. We felt that it would be important both for our social lives and the social life of LP to build some sort of network with her friends and their parents.
Fortunately, several of the other parents in the class were not as new to the whole parenthood thing as they had older children. They recognized our need, and stepped up and offered to hold a brunch at their home for the "Firefly Class" families. It was really nice and two years later I am now friends with a few of them, going on mom dates, swapping stories and advice, and chilling on the playground in the spring and summer.
Alas, the time has come for me to be the seasoned mom. The parents in AK's class have been emailing and dancing around the whole idea of getting together. They all appeared to be casting furtive glances at the group through email suggestions, but no one was willing to take the plunge and offer up their home for a brunch. So, of course, I did. And now I am wondering what the heck I was thinking.
For some reason the email list (from our "parent representative") is not complete, with only nine families in on the conversation. Of these nine, five responded within seconds of me extending the invitation that they would love to come to the brunch. So far that is 10 people and five babies, not including us.
One of the other moms suggested, to me only and not the entire email list (thank goodness) that perhaps we should put up a sign in the infant classroom about the brunch. I quickly shot that idea down. I am not trying to be mean and exclusive, but there are 16 kids in AK's class. If you do that math there is the potential for 48 people to attend this little shin dig. Our home, while lovely, is quite cozy. I don't mind shoe-horning people in, but there is no way that 48 people could fit into it. As it is I am petrified of the potential for 27 people.
Regardless, it will be very nice to forge relationships with a new set of parents. The other moms seem very excited at the prospect as well and they are going to be bringing over a boatload of food. I am sure LP will enjoy being the big cheese, overseeing a group of mostly immobile munchkins (with my luck half of them will learn how to crawl over the next couple of weeks).
Fortunately, several of the other parents in the class were not as new to the whole parenthood thing as they had older children. They recognized our need, and stepped up and offered to hold a brunch at their home for the "Firefly Class" families. It was really nice and two years later I am now friends with a few of them, going on mom dates, swapping stories and advice, and chilling on the playground in the spring and summer.
Alas, the time has come for me to be the seasoned mom. The parents in AK's class have been emailing and dancing around the whole idea of getting together. They all appeared to be casting furtive glances at the group through email suggestions, but no one was willing to take the plunge and offer up their home for a brunch. So, of course, I did. And now I am wondering what the heck I was thinking.
For some reason the email list (from our "parent representative") is not complete, with only nine families in on the conversation. Of these nine, five responded within seconds of me extending the invitation that they would love to come to the brunch. So far that is 10 people and five babies, not including us.
One of the other moms suggested, to me only and not the entire email list (thank goodness) that perhaps we should put up a sign in the infant classroom about the brunch. I quickly shot that idea down. I am not trying to be mean and exclusive, but there are 16 kids in AK's class. If you do that math there is the potential for 48 people to attend this little shin dig. Our home, while lovely, is quite cozy. I don't mind shoe-horning people in, but there is no way that 48 people could fit into it. As it is I am petrified of the potential for 27 people.
Regardless, it will be very nice to forge relationships with a new set of parents. The other moms seem very excited at the prospect as well and they are going to be bringing over a boatload of food. I am sure LP will enjoy being the big cheese, overseeing a group of mostly immobile munchkins (with my luck half of them will learn how to crawl over the next couple of weeks).
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