The Birthday Party was great. Worth all the sweat and stress. I'll even go as far as to say it was the best yet. Maggie had a blast, which is the main thing and despite a couple of melt downs from a couple of her party guests, I think everyone else had a good time too. The party took on a dinosaur theme, we had a t-rex pinata, a plaster brick with genuine fossils and shells to dig out so the kids could feel like paleontologists for as long as their patients could master, a beading activity where the little ones could make their loved ones a necklace of beads, pin the horn on the triceratops and thanks to a gift from her auntie Lisa and uncle Mike last year we also had a dinosaur stamp making card activity for the artistically minded tots.
It was a great party, and perfectly right for our little family and circle of friends. Asides from seeing the birthday girl running around giddy with excitement, it was also great to see my family, friends and neighbors come together to celebrate another year of my five year old. As people were saying their goodbyes I noticed hugs and farewells were happening between people that only know each other through my stories and the annual gatherings of family birthday parties, "Great to see you again...look forward to seeing you again next year" -- word which were music to my ears. I'm not much of a party planner and I get stressed and anxious at the mere thought of entertaining anyone at my house (even a playdate) but I do love it when the people who I know and love find something in common with each and build a relationship of their own.
Now, just because I want to, I'm listing some of the things which were on my to do list to get ready for the party. Not trying for any sympathy vote or award here -- its just my chance to sit back and look at how much I got done. Here goes -: Wash carpets in hallway and three bedrooms (I did this three times), wash hardwood floor, clean bathroom(s) and the kitchen, clean fridge -- really clean fridge (people might look in there), clean sheets on all beds (little children might get hurt/sick and need to lay down for a little), clean bookcase (people might want to pick up a book or something and it was way too dusty and disorganized to leave it as it was), clean paw prints off windows, clean blinds, clean car out (I might have to race someone to the ER), clean out toys and clothes (make room for new toys & clothes), clean back porch and patio seating, sort night-mail (ended up bagging some, okay most of it, and building a little fortress in hall closet)... send evites/emails with party details, buy party games, balloons, order food, prep food, set the stage for party with games, flowers & decorations etc buy and bag party favors, inspire and motivate father extraordinaire to bake and make a dinosaur cake the night before.
I pretty much achieved everything on my to-do list plus some and dear hubby woke before the crack of dawn and put together this master piece -- isn't it fantastic!?! It earned him the privilege of bedtime stories two nights in a row, "... because I love him and he made a dinosaur cake..."
It was a great party, and perfectly right for our little family and circle of friends. Asides from seeing the birthday girl running around giddy with excitement, it was also great to see my family, friends and neighbors come together to celebrate another year of my five year old. As people were saying their goodbyes I noticed hugs and farewells were happening between people that only know each other through my stories and the annual gatherings of family birthday parties, "Great to see you again...look forward to seeing you again next year" -- word which were music to my ears. I'm not much of a party planner and I get stressed and anxious at the mere thought of entertaining anyone at my house (even a playdate) but I do love it when the people who I know and love find something in common with each and build a relationship of their own.
Now, just because I want to, I'm listing some of the things which were on my to do list to get ready for the party. Not trying for any sympathy vote or award here -- its just my chance to sit back and look at how much I got done. Here goes -: Wash carpets in hallway and three bedrooms (I did this three times), wash hardwood floor, clean bathroom(s) and the kitchen, clean fridge -- really clean fridge (people might look in there), clean sheets on all beds (little children might get hurt/sick and need to lay down for a little), clean bookcase (people might want to pick up a book or something and it was way too dusty and disorganized to leave it as it was), clean paw prints off windows, clean blinds, clean car out (I might have to race someone to the ER), clean out toys and clothes (make room for new toys & clothes), clean back porch and patio seating, sort night-mail (ended up bagging some, okay most of it, and building a little fortress in hall closet)... send evites/emails with party details, buy party games, balloons, order food, prep food, set the stage for party with games, flowers & decorations etc buy and bag party favors, inspire and motivate father extraordinaire to bake and make a dinosaur cake the night before.
I pretty much achieved everything on my to-do list plus some and dear hubby woke before the crack of dawn and put together this master piece -- isn't it fantastic!?! It earned him the privilege of bedtime stories two nights in a row, "... because I love him and he made a dinosaur cake..."
Before I sign off, I want to make a quick shout out too my husband's family who really feel my heart with joy. I am so glad my children get to grow up with you. I also want to give a mention to my parents who I miss daily, especially on occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. I love you whole heartedly and wish we could bring our worlds closer together. And lastly, to the family who could not make it -- we love you too and made sure to have a piece of this yummy cake in your honour :-)
