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Birthday Fairy & Party Conundrum

Filed Under: Crazyiness, Kids Posts Tagged With: , ,

“What do you want for your birthday?” Such a simple, straight forward and direct question, but the answers that were given on this one were anything but.

Last night, Kevin turned to Emma and asked her just that. First of all, her birthday isn’t until July, but Mr. Anal Compulsive likes to plan ahead, so I guess in his own way he was doing that, but be careful what you wish for, because you may just get it. And that he did.

Emma Making A Birthday Wish From LasT Year--Simpler Times!!!

Emma Making A Birthday Wish From Last Year–Simpler Times!!!

Emma sat there for about a half hour rattling off about 1,234,567,890 things she would like and then some. I am not joking either. This list included, a bike, roller skates,a bike, dolls, more Little People Houses, balls (I think a basketball), crayons, coloring books, new bedding and so much more.

And just when you thought the conversation was nearing an end, this little voice would pipe in with, “You know what else I want for my birthday!”

When we tried to explain that her birthday wasn’t indeed until July and just wanted to get an idea, she honestly didn’t care and just kept going.

On a more serious note, Kevin and I (well more Kevin, because I tend to procrastinate a bit more then him) are trying to decide if we should have a party out with all her school friends. This topic came up when one of her classmates invited the whole class to a party at his home. Her first ever school birthday party. She is only going to be 4 years old and thought I still had at least another year or so for this, but apparently things do start earlier nowadays.

The ideas that have been thrown my way so far for this grand event are as follows: pool party (her birthday is in the summer time), bounce house, gymnastics (the kid never took a class in her life), craft place, and Chuck E. Cheese (I don’t even want to take my own kids there, let alone a whole bunch of kids that I didn’t even give my birth to).


I love Kevin, but seriously I am so not sure if it is worth the money to have the big kiddie party, plus we may need to save our pennies, because Emma seems to think that the Birthday Fairy owes her more gifts than my money tree can accommodate.

Also, Christmas was the first time Emma asked for anything gift-wise, but it wasn’t so many different things, as it was one or two big things. So now she is starting to get the point that if she asks she will indeed hopefully get it, but doesn’t quite understand that if she is asking for 2 or 3 things that she will most likely be gifted them versus asking for a million things and only still getting those few.

But as for these gifts, this birthday fairy will probably not be liked as much, because she (or I) will not be buying 1,234,567,890 gifts, but again more like 1 or 2 larger gifts and a few small gifts, as well.

We have some time to decide though as for the actual party, but as I said Kevin, who is more on top of things then I will be chomping at the bit to decide. So, here is my question, for a four year little girl, would you have a large size kiddie party? And if you did what kind of places would you consider?

For all those wondering this was written before Emma got sick and was pre-scheduled.  She has RSV, an ear infection and we were at urgent later yesterday.  Today, we all are more then a bit tired around here and truly thankful that I do pre-schedule many of my posts, because it was a rough night and have a feeling it will be a rough day, too.  Thank you also for all your thoughts, comments and prayers.  I will keep updating as I can.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. erintheirishmama says

    Well for Ben when he turned 4 I had his friends – about 10 – at Color Me Mine. Not sure if you have them. It was pottery painting and it went pretty well. Plus a week later the kids got their piece. I also have done bowling which was fun. And we have done the bouncy castle places which were a hit. I went to a gymnastics party and the kids had a blast. Don't worry you can't go wrong – 4 year olds love everything.

  2. Michelle Grundy says

    I've given the kids parties from when they were at school (pre or proper) with other children, up until the age of about 8/9. Then they have to have smaller celebrations with less kids. What was great for the boys was hiring the local leisure centre, they provided the staff, balls, bouncy castles, ball pools, all manner of things. Tables were set up, chairs, all the parents have to do is show up, with the party food. They even clear up after. For my daughter, it's not been so easy. Just think – the more kids you have at the party, the less presents you have to buy Emma. Always thinking 😉

  3. audra fisher says

    I remember going to Burger King, Pizza hut, home birthday parties…all were great! I think any type would work! Chucky cheese…went when a friend brought her kids to visit…SCARY place! Oh, how about a movie theater party! They have packages; watch a movie and have cake, etc after!

  4. Kat Biggie says

    Poor Emma! We went through RSV and all that in January! No fun! We have always just had Birthday parties at our house. We are lucky because a friend brings a bounce house and we grill out and have a good time. Downside is cleaning! And no way to Chuck E Cheese!!!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks Alexa and now I am learning how truly miserable RSV really is,too. Glad you are better now and just hope Emma is soon also. I am truly so not wanting Chuck E Cheese either!!

  5. Cyndi says

    Janine – I hope Emma is better by the hour. And that doctor needs to shove it. I can't believe he made you upset like that. You're an amazing mom and if he had any idea how dedicated you are, he would have slapped himself with his own hands. Emma is in the best hands possible: yours. Keep on keepin on cuz you're amazing. 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you so much for your words here Cyndi. They mean the world to me. I was really just in shock and didn't even know how to answer to be honest. Once she left the room, I found myself in tears and then when I had a moment to relax, I did get annoyed that she would say that when we were clearly so upset and just wanting to get Emma better and know what was wrong with her. Thank you again seriously from the bottom of my heart 🙂

  6. Stephanie says

    We had a bounce house for my son's birthday last year and it was fantastic! The kids had a ball, they weren't running crazy (but, instead, confined to a little house–genius!), and they were exhausted when the day was done. Good luck deciding!! 🙂

  7. The Sadder But Wiser says

    We've never done the big birthday party thing for either of our kids. Just family. My 8 year old thinks he's been gypped. My daughter also wants a million things for her 5th birthday coming up in May. At least she hasn't asked for diamonds yet this year!

  10. Justin K says

    Oh, Janine! If we asked my son about his birthday months ahead of time, we'd never hear the end of it. Our little guy turned 6 recently and we haven't had a kid party for him yet. There is so much drama just planning get-togethers with our families that the idea of a kid party is overwhelming. We realize that next year we will have to have a party with his school friends. Hope Emma is on the mend shortly, poor thing! 🙁

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks Justin and we truly learned our lesson about asking this early. And we have a large family, so I know what you mean about organizing parties with them, too!!

  11. The Next Step says

    yeah, I think I'm going to go the route of not asking what the girls want for their birthday. I have another friend who offers the kids an option: birthday party with friends OR gift from parents. I love it! So far, my 5yo has always opted for the party (I think because she knows she'll get presents from grandparents and aunts).

    • Janine Huldie says

      Smart lady, Lori. And in hindsight would so do the same now. I think the option of a party or presents and think your friend is totally onto something there!!

  12. Bill says

    I would ask my son that question when he was younger and he would type out four pages of things he wanted. LOL I learned not to ask that question until he got older and realized we were not made of money. 🙂

  13. Christy Birmingham says

    Haha I can just imagine Emma telling you all the things she wants, so cute! I know that whatever kind of party your family decides to have that she will have fun (and so will you!) xx

  14. keish hanvy says

    Keep it simple. Have a party at the park with a few balloons and streamers, cake and ice cream. Not very expensive and all the kids will have fun playing on the playground. Plan between meals so everyone doesn't expect you to feed them and maybe before lunch when its not too hot!

  15. Considerer says

    Best parenting advice I overheard was 'Never try to keep up with other people's kids' parties'. I reckon if you do something, let her choose one friend to go someplace she chooses for a few hours or do a family party.

  16. Roshni Aamom says

    So sorry to hear about Emma and hope she is absolutely well now!
    Regarding parties, personally I've found that at that age, kids rarely think about the place as long as they have their friends around and some balloons and a cake! I've had most of our parties in a nearby park so the kids can run around. Regarding presents, my kids know well enough that they get to make a list but the reality is that there is a budget and it will not be overshot!

  17. Kristi Campbell says

    So sorry to hear that you were at urgent care yesterday! I hope she's much better today. And yeah, the presents thing is hard. We're having the same discussion on whether to do a huge kid party or just take a trip to the beach with just the family. Probably costs the same.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thanks so much Kristi. You isn't worse, but still not herself. So just hoping that she will be very soon though. The beach sounds like a fabulous idea, especially to someone like me that loves the beach 🙂 🙂

  19. Kerri Ames says

    I made the mistake of once, just once, letting Allie have a friends birthday party. Take my advice, do not let the monsters, I mean beautiful children, into your home. It is worth whatever you have to pay to have them destroy, I mean enjoy, an experience anywhere else.
    On a serious note, sending healing thoughts Emma's way.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh thanks Kerri for the thoughts for Emma and loved the description of 'monsters". Just went to an in house party for one of Emma's friends and your description was spot on!!

  21. lablover22 says

    I'm sure you are going to get a bazillion opinons about this but in our house we don't let the kids have birthday parties until kindergarten. The main reason being that after preschool they won't see many of those kids again as they tend to metriulate to different schools. Once in kindergarten, though, they have the general group of kids they will have in their classes for the next few years. My youngest has a summer birthday as well and it was harder for him because he had to wait until the summer AFTER his kinder year for his first party because we didn't want to host a party for all the kids we didn't know and couldn't really contact anyway as the class list wasn't yet available. just my opinion.
    Vicky http://www.thepursuitofnormal.blogspot.com

    • Janine Huldie says

      Thank you seriously for your opinion Vicki and what you said totally makes sense for your house and kids. My daughter will most likely being going to Kindergarten with many of these little kids, because the pre-school is in the actual school district we live, so that is why I am torn a bit. Thank you a ton again though 🙂 🙂

      • lablover22 says

        Wow, you're lucky that you will continue on with the same kids. Maybe then if you're still unsure about it you could make it a birthday/welcome back to school party? I guess that's silly though because if you want to have a party then it should just be for her. Did our parents have these problems? 😉
        vicky

  22. Kenya Johnson says

    Awww I missed all the RSV stuff. I hope she is getting some relief and you guys are staying healthy. So I may have missed some in between stuff. Did the girls already get a dog? I didn't see that on Emma's list but I guess you couldn't list all 1,234,568,890 of them.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Oh no worries Kenya and finally today is the first day Emma didn't wake with a fever since last Wednesday night. I am so just hoping we turned a corner. She still has me helping her blow her nose and coughing slightly, but just seriously hoping we are at the tale end now. As for the dog, no we still haven't gotten one and she probably did ask for it during this conversation, but she asked for so much that I just tried my best to list what I could recall when I finally got this written down, lol!! 🙂 Thank you seriously and am in the process of playing a bit of catchup today and promise I will be stopping by your space a bit later 🙂 🙂

  23. j.b.everett says

    Having been through the birthday party gauntlet, my rule was age +1. We went to a lot of over-the-top parties, but they require not just money, but lots of adults to herd the cats. They get out of hand very fast. My son's favorites? A pile of sand in our backyard with trucks and toys, and a clubhouse made out of wardrobe boxes we bought from UHaul. Sometimes simpler is better.

    • Janine Huldie says

      JB, so true and my girls sometimes seem to like the boxes of things over the actual items in he boxes. So I do know what you mean about simpler sometimes truly being better, lol!! 🙂

  24. Anne Kimball says

    The "birthday fairy" — I love it! Thanks for linking this up with the TALU, Janine!

  25. Robin Jingjit says

    My sons don't know yet that you can ask for Xmas and birthday gifts…..any day now I expect them to lose that blissful innocence.

    • Janine Huldie says

      You are so lucky Robin and just be thankful for that while it lasts, because everything my kids see now they need to have and I hear myself constantly saying, "We will see!"

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