I have the blah's about Henry's 3rd birthday party.
For his first two bday's we had a party with family and friends in the "clubhouse" of our condo development. It's nice because there's lots of space, and I have a big family. It is unfortunate that we have to pay $50 to rent it, even though we pay a huge condo fee (don't get me started). It's also a lot of work bringing everything over there, as we have done a big buffet lunch. And after two years of it, I'm just ready for a change.
I thought it would be fun to have it at our house, maybe trim the guest list a little, and have the party mainly in the back yard (weather permitting). We could do some fun outdoor activities, like maybe a pinata and a couple games. And we do have enough space in the house to set up food.
C doesn't want to have it in the house. She kind of had her heart set on a "place" - like a children's museum. I am soooooo against this. Just the thought of it raises my anxiety! Also, our ratio of kids to adults realllllly doesn't make sense for that kind of party.
I had thought of this neat place in our town that is like a small farm, and has barn space as well. They do bday parties for kids. But it's 45 mins of an "activity" with the kids, being led around to see the animals, etc. And then 45 mins for the cake & presents in the barn space. That's a great amount of time for a "kid" party - but not for my adult family members who probably don't want to drive 30 minutes to come to basically a 45 minute party, you know?
It did say on their website that parties are customizable, so I would guess I can ask what else is possible.
I like the idea of having it at a local playground/park that we love, but with no indoor space, we'd have to have a rain date, and C's parents (from out of town) could potentially miss it....
I don't know what I expect/want you all to say here, lol. Any thoughts? Feelings? Advice?
We did the first 3 at our house and did 4y at a duckpin bowling alley. After that we swore we'd never do it at our house again. We've done bowling, bounce house, and Chuck E. Cheese. We looked at doing it at the Lego store this year and it was $250 for 10 kids (including the birthday kid(s) for 45m of free play.) WTF?
Because they have a really small class this year, I think we are bringing it back to our house for a Lego party and *fingers crossed* outside play at the playground across from our house. Doing is elsewhere was a dream - no clean up, no mess or fuss. We just need to cut back on spending this year.
You could do the farm thing and then go to dinner with your family so it doesn't feel like they were just there for 45m - or do something easy at your house after just for family.
We run into the same issue with wanting to do it at places that hold typical "kid" parties but wanting less structure and more time - suitable for adults. I've found places to be 100% accommodating. I just have to be clear that I'm looking more to rent the space vs. whatever their typical kid party package is. call up the farm! that sounds so fun!
I'm probably not one to jump in here, since we've never had a birthday party for our kids (bad mommies!). We looked into having it at a "place" last year (mostly we looked at gym-type places), but they were both expensive and too far from where most of the kids would have been coming from, so we scrapped it. Has C done any of the looking for places? I thought I had my heart set on a "place" before I saw how expensive most of them are!
I really had my heart set on having a party for the kids this year, but so far I haven't made it happen. We're having church people over after church this Sunday (the day after their birthday), so I'm making that a little bit of a party just so I don't feel like the kids totally missed out on having a party (again) this year. I still really want to have a kid party, though.
Why doesn't C want to have it at your house? Any way to work through/around her objections?
Okay, already glad I posted this ramble! Two great ideas - having family back to the house after, or working with the farm.
Sadly, C knows how much the museums cost and still wants to do it. She thinks it's too much to have it in our house - and it IS a lot. We have a lot of family, and a small space.
Post by twomoms2twins on Mar 5, 2013 17:09:10 GMT -5
ugg i have 4 mo till the girls 2nds and I am already dreading it. We had 2 last year one in cali and one in NV and well its finalized we are doing it in NV. but will the grandparents come no one knows and it sucks... and then they all get mad that not everyone can stay with us...
now its hotter than heck in NV in July so what to do what to do ... themes and entertain the kids and ack I dread it but yet i wanna do it .. why ?