I’ve learned that birthday parties don’t need to be so ridiculously involved that I spend two weeks planning, designing and making things to decorate and do. We’ve done that far too many times in the beginning of our parenthood. And you know what? I think I used to do it just so I could take pretty pictures and put it on a blog. Some of my earlier parties are here and there on pinterest from people pinning things from my blog.

There was Brayden’s superhero party– POW! ZAP! BAM!

Carter’s Sock Monkey Party

Brayden’s Sports Party

Carter’s First Birthday Party

Brayden’s Mario Party (Which I definitely toned down a LOT compared to past years)

And after those five, we decided to lay low on the birthday parties and keep it simple. I learned my lesson when I planned a large Ice Cream Party for Carter’s third birthday and then he ended up with a super long stomach bug and we never had the party. I spent tons of time creating little felt ice cream crafts, printed favor bags, food labels, signs galore and all sorts of other little details. And then what happened?  Everything ended up unused and in the trash. We learned that there is no need for something outrageously fancy and complicated. The Sock Monkey party and Super Hero party were just obnoxious. We didn’t need that, and the kids didn’t need that and we learned. Because as the saying goes. . . live and learn. And it’s so true. Are the pictures pretty? Sure. Do people ooh and ahh and say, you are so creative! Sure. But am I exhausted for two straight weeks before the party so much that I’m not even enjoying the birthday festivities myself and the boy who we are celebrating? Yes!

So now what do we do, you ask? We rarely have the parties at our house anymore, because who wants to clean up before all of your guests arrive, and then have to clean up again after everyone leaves? We find a place that interests our child, and have it there. We don’t invite everyone and their brother like we used to. We keep it small. We don’t have a large table set up with all sorts of decorations and things I’ve printed. I don’t spend weeks preparing. We make a cake based on their interest (Brayden’s was supposed to be a painter’s palette, though his friends all asked what it was supposed to be! Ha ha). And I always make a banner for them so that it can get hung up for a week in our house. And then some cute little favor bag or something. Voila. Everyone is happy, including James and I. No one is stressed. And that is that 🙂

For Brayden’s party this year, he chose to do it at his special art teacher’s house. He takes classes there on occasion and goes to summer camp there. She has an art business, teaching a bunch of littles. Everyone loves her, and she has this crazy art studio in her basement. The kids made wax hands, some things out of clay and a couple of other random things, and then they enjoyed some cake and ice cream in the party room. Everyone was happy. The clean up was a breeze. And we all left smiling. That’s the way it’s supposed to be!