Post by CajunShrimp on Sept 16, 2014 20:23:12 GMT -5
DS is 3 and just started nursery school. If parents want to send invitations for birthday parties to classmates, the school will put them in everyone's folders, which seems nice.
So in his folder today, there is a fancy invite to a 'Halloween costume party' in a few weeks. It includes a bouncy house, games, magician, pizza/cake and an outdoor movie (yep, we had a cookout with a keg for K's 3rd birthday, 'cuz that is how we roll). RSVP to an e-mail address, no name. There are pictures of three kids on the back. Included is a note that says they prefer a donation to Toys for Tots instead of bringing birthday presents for the 'kids' this year (are all three kids born around Halloween?), and asks for suggestions for the movie. Apparently, one of the kid's stepmom is dressing up as Elisa too. Oh, and then they ask for volunteers if anyone wants to help.
No where on the invitation does it say who these damn kids are. The invitation says Halloween costume party, but is it a birthday party too? K has only had 5 half days of school so far, and no one really knows anyone yet. I assume the youngest one is in K's class, but who knows? I'll ask around tomorrow at drop off to see if anyone know anything. I should probably RSVP that we aren't going, but I don't even know who/what I am RSVPing for. The kids would also like birthday cards, but again, who the hell are these kids?
Don't worry about it and say you can't go. My DD has been going to the same daycare for 2 years now and we have been invited to a couple of parties. I don't know the moms or the kids, so I don't go. Don't know if that is flameful, but oh well.
Post by CajunShrimp on Sept 16, 2014 20:34:47 GMT -5
We are definitely not going. It starts at 3, when DS is usually napping. It runs until 8:30pm, so yeah, there is no way in hell we are going, no matter who it is for. Yeah, lets overstimulate the kids, jump in a bouncy house, feed them cake, keep them up past their bedtime, and oh yeah, no nap too. Sounds like a great idea!
I should probably RSVP that we aren't going, but I don't even know who/what I am RSVPing for. The kids would also like birthday cards, but again, who the hell are these kids?
If you don't know anyone in the class, does it matter?
Probably. I mean, I get being curious, but it's not going to make a difference in the end. If you want to be helpful, you could point out that whoever made the invitations didn't put the kids' names on them, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't bother. And someone else will probably point it out anyway, lol.
Post by Captain Serious on Sept 17, 2014 0:36:27 GMT -5
This is what I hate that J's birthday is in the beginning of September. We never invite anyone from school because no one knows anyone yet.
Please consider attending, of only because this family many not have many local friends, and it's not the kid's fault his is the first birthday of the year.
We are definitely not going. It starts at 3, when DS is usually napping. It runs until 8:30pm, so yeah, there is no way in hell we are going, no matter who it is for. Yeah, lets overstimulate the kids, jump in a bouncy house, feed them cake, keep them up past their bedtime, and oh yeah, no nap too. Sounds like a great idea!
Even if you went, it doesn't sound like the kind of party where they'd expect you to be there the whole time.
Post by RoxMonster on Sept 17, 2014 6:08:58 GMT -5
I don't have kids, so maybe this is some kind of hell I'm unaware of, but that party sounds fun. I would try to go, even if for just a little bit. I'm sure you could come after nap time or leave early.
Your best bet to find out the source of this invitation is probably the teacher.
Sooooo...I made two of my closest mom friends by attending their kids' birthday parties (and I'm typically a giant curmudgeon) even though I didn't know them before and one of them didn't put her name on the invite.
I would ask the teacher who it's from. You could send an email and ask about the start time...if it's an absolute start or if it's more like an Open House, we'll be partying from this time to this time. You don't have to go for the entire time regardless of the time frame.
Post by jeaniebueller on Sept 17, 2014 7:29:21 GMT -5
It sounds like it could be fun, but I agree its weird that they didn't put the name of the kid anywhere on the invite or the name of the parent with who you should RSVP. If you decide to go, I would just ask those questions.
It sounds like it could be fun, but I agree its weird that they didn't put the name of the kid anywhere on the invite or the name of the parent with who you should RSVP. If you decide to go, I would just ask those questions.
Post by copperboom on Sept 17, 2014 7:31:37 GMT -5
This sounds like an amazing party, and a great way to get to know other parents in the class. I'd drop in after nap for an hour or two. And ask the teachers who the invite is from.
If you don't want to go, then don't go. that's fine. But a party from 3 - 8:30, I FULLY suspect that they expect people to come and go throughout.
If it's being posed as a Halloween party, then that's how I'd approach it. I wouldn't worry about the birthday part of it. I do side-eye them for 1- not being clear WHO this party is being thrown by/ who the kids are and 2- mixing it w/ a birthday, but you don't know for which kid (or for all). But I'd ask the teacher. Our preschool teachers always knew what was going on in this regard.
But... seriously, I'm just not one to worry about "OMG!!!!! What if I'm the only one who doesn't take a gift?!". Trust me - no one, and I mean NO ONE, other than the hosts are going to know who did/didn't bring gifts.
Post by EloiseWeenie on Sept 17, 2014 7:39:33 GMT -5
The party sounds awesome. I always fear that nobody will show up, and the kid will be sad.
This just happened to us. My son was invited to 2 parties, both classmates. Both were at the same place, 40 minutes away. The Sunday party, only 2 kids showed up from class. Yes, it's awkward to go to a party for a stranger, but I'm glad he went. Turns out that birthday girl is extremely shy, and so is the other girl that attended the party. My son is an extreme extrovert, and got both girls playing (bowling/arcade). The 3 of them had a blast, and have started playing together at school.
We are definitely not going. It starts at 3, when DS is usually napping. It runs until 8:30pm, so yeah, there is no way in hell we are going, no matter who it is for. Yeah, lets overstimulate the kids, jump in a bouncy house, feed them cake, keep them up past their bedtime, and oh yeah, no nap too. Sounds like a great idea!
Post by CajunShrimp on Sept 17, 2014 7:44:35 GMT -5
We aren't going because of how we were invited, trust me. It is annoying, but whatever. It is just too much for my son. Things like that where there is a ton of stuff going on completely overstimulate him, and he gets crazy. Add sugar, and he becomes 'that kid' at the party. He naps from 2ish until 5, so it just wouldn't work anyway. I would never be bitchy in my response, just a polite 'no thank you'.
I asked around at drop off this morning and no one knows who the invite is from. One of the parents asked the head teacher and she didn't know either (the office stuffs the folders). She thinks it may not even be for a kid in K's class (maybe an older child). She was confused too.
Think it sounds fun and a good way to meet another mom and have potential future play dates. I would email that you will swing by for a little after his nap. And then ask the teachers who the kid(s) is.
Posts like this are why I don't like other parents. It's the worst part of parenting. I wonder what people say about me. Sugar! Bad! Party! Bad! Too much activity! Bad bad badddddddd.
I know. Next time I am doing a morning origami party with organic sugarless zuchini cake, no icing.
Posts like this are why I don't like other parents. It's the worst part of parenting. I wonder what people say about me. Sugar! Bad! Party! Bad! Too much activity! Bad bad badddddddd.
I know. Next time I am doing a morning origami party with organic sugarless zuchini cake, no icing.
In all seriousness, when I was a kid, a neighbor had a 'grownup tea party' for her birthday. All I remember is that we all played dress up, wore our moms dresses and hats, and probably drank hot cocoa and ate little sandwiches. It was a blast.
but really, this party sounds pretty fun. I'd probably go. The worst that can happen is that you got free cake and didn't make any friends.