My younger daughter just turned three. We are totally suffering, or rather, SHE is suffering from “Second Child Syndrome.” You know – how there are 487 million pictures of your first child and you document every feeding, pee and gaseous explosion she creates but with the second, you’re sorta like: “meh, she’s not turning blue or suffering from any noticeable fractures, so, SURE! I’ll have another glass of wine!” Don’t get me wrong – I ADORE this kid, but mostly because she’s equal parts insane, sassy and able to go with the flow.
Case-in-point: her birthday celebration. With her big sister, birthdays have been a big deal mostly because I thought they HAD to be. But then I realized that I loathe throwing parties. Loathe. My younger princess doesn’t even know when her birthday is. Not even what month. She has no idea what months even are. So this year, I made it all about me. And it was fabulous.
In case you’re new to my little bloggity blog – a little background. I live in Canada but grew up on Long Island. 98% of my family are still living in my hometown and so I visit every chance I get. My daughter’s birthday happened to fall during one of these visits. I decided that I was going to throw her a party at MY childhood home, mostly because I knew my mom wouldn’t let it suck. I sent out the invitations – to my cousins who had their own kids – and made cupcakes. Easy peasy. Kept it small.
50 people later (I have a big family), there were kids who had never met each other playing like lifelong friends. Ria (the birthday girl) made a few new “best friends” and I got to spend time with some of my family that I hadn’t seen in a while. I insisted on a “no gifts” policy, claiming that I would sell anything she got at our next yard sale, and most people complied or brought a bottle of wine instead. Maybe kids parties aren’t that bad, you just have to sell them properly …
So now, I’ve set a new standard. It’s not about abundance and gifts. It’s about mom doing minimal work and drinking wine. Perhaps I’ll even make cakes, as long as red-wine flavored icing is acceptable.
*Please note – wine brought in place of gifts were considered “host gifts” and did not meet yard-sale requirements.
1 Comment
I’m very glad to see you wrote this and are aware of the insanity that goes with having a kids’ party,as we were throwing them for you until you were 18.I only wish that your Mom and I were smart enough to let someone else handle all the plans,details,plates,cutlery,drinks,etc. Like you just did,I hope you all enjoyed yourselves.NO cheeboigees for you!