We had Landon's birthday party this morning from 10-12 (which basically meant 1:30 by the time everyone left and I cleaned things up), and it was a great success. Regrettably Amie's son James was sick and couldn't make it, and another friend of Landon's from church was at his grandma's house today, but we still had 8 friends here and all kind of crazy going on.
I love how easygoing boys are. I had to keep reminding myself yesterday that I didn't have to stress about getting things ready for the party because they would be happy just to play in the water. Landon picked out a huge bag of candy at Costco for the party bags (Amanda I thought of you and your outrage over the baggie gift bags), and we even got fabulous chocolate donuts at Costco so that I didn't even have to make cupcakes. I love this plan! So all I really had to do was be here to supervise and suggest a couple games (water Twister and sprinkler red light-green light) and take pictures. I even got to sit in a lawn chair and hang out with Michelle for awhile. Now that's my kind of kid party.
Jenn took Whitney with her when she was here dropping off her son Soren so that was a treat as well. I guess technically Eva crashed the all-boy party, but the boys didn't even seem to notice. She was all kinds of cute with her little pig tails and red, white and blue ribbons, and somehow managed not to get soaked by the boys even when she was dangerously close by.
Landon seemed very happy with this party and with all the gifts. Almost everyone got him a squirt gun or Nerf dart gun, so that was very fun. He loves stuff like that and plays with those things all the time, so to have a fresh stock of guns that work is quite a treat. It was fun to see him in the mix of all these friends, he was loving it.
I love birthday parties, especially for kids, and never mind having them. It can be a hassle and is tiring, but so worth it. I love recognizing their birthday, giving them the chance to celebrate with their friends, having pictures to remember it by, and the influx of new toys. I remember all my birthday parties from when I was growing up, so I like giving my kids the same opportunities. It doesn't have to be fancy, just fun.
Amusing moments from the party:
- One boy kept almost losing his trunks.
- The boys wailing on each other with the Styrofoam noodles, but then being mad when others wailed on them.
- The boys loved making up the rules for their water war almost as much as they liked having their war.
- Landon kept making crazy faces when I tried to pictures of him with each guest, and when I asked him why he was doing that he said, "It's my true nature."
- Some of the boys couldn't finish their donut...what in the world?
**Do you do birthday parties for your kids?
Did you have parties when you were a kid?
How do you feel about being the center of attention?**
Did you have parties when you were a kid?
How do you feel about being the center of attention?**
27 comments:
WOW first to post! impressive!!
**Do you do birthday parties for your kids?Yes-but ONLY LOW KEY like yours--im not a fan of out of control my kids bday party was better then yours type thing..so bugs!
Did you have parties when you were a kid? actually no-thats just too much for my mom..
How do you feel about being the center of attention? im a freak and enjoy being the center of attention-i wont lie--i love to make people laugh!
I love making birthdays big. My littles aren't even in school yet, so I have yet to do a friends party, but I love reading about what everyone does for theirs. I'll be a pro by the time my turn comes along. Boys are definitely easily entertained & low key...Happy Birthday to Landon!
That sounds like a perfect party.
I do parties for my kids well Kira. I might do one for Joshy this year but he doesn't really have friends yet. ( I guess it would be my friends who have kid :))
I hate being the center of attention but I do love when Lou throws me a birthday party so I don't have to throw one for myself, I don't like seeking the attention but if people want to give it I guess it's okay.
It does sound great, Water parties are the way to go in the summer. They have fun with little assistance. My son keeps asking for a donut cake for his birthday. I am thinking I will just stack them all on up and put a candle on the top.
Looks like a fun party! And, who can't eat a whole donut? Those look really yummy!
So fun! I dread birthday parties, but maybe thats because I can't picture Miriam being anything other than a 3 year old...and 3 year old parties are exhausting...go go go no down time at all.
Landon looks SOOOO happy.
What a fun party! It sounds like it was perfect and I am glad there was very little stressed involved for you! PERFECT!
My mom threw great parties for me as a kid and now I love throwing them. I'm putting them up on my blog on the side for easy access!
You are INSPIRING me! I haven't been brave enough to host very many kids parties over the years, but I should reconsider. Especially for boys -- just give them water and weapons!
I love Landon's comment about his true nature.
Landon's party sounds like it was a blast for the boys! I like simple easy parties. Big ones always stress me out!
I used to do HUGE parties for my kids but this year toned it way down, just family parties at home and then cupcakes, etc at school. Griffin had like 60 people at his party last year and his cake was as big as a wedding cake. I sat back afterwards and thought, "that was fun, but what am I teaching him by doing this and what will he ever have to look forward to when he is older?" I realized I was doing the big parties more for my needs, not my kids' needs. I think this stems from my parents doing the opposite for us as kids - birthdays were no big deal growing up and I resent that.
When Luci turned 3 we rented out an art studio and she had 20 friends come do artwork with her. Since she was recently potty trained, on the invite I asked the guests to bring a pack of diapers in lieu of a gift. Luci collected 20 packs of diapers which we then donated to a homeless shelter. I think if I ever do a large party again I'll want it to have a special meaning/purpose like that again, in addition to the b'day excitement, gifts, cake, etc.
Love Landon's donut idea. I think boys are definitely easier to please when it comes to parties.
We haven't had an "official" party in a few years. Seeing yours makes it seem more manageable rather than dreadful. I tend to dislike the indoor running around wild junk. I guess I can say I am making up for it by having a Highschool Musical Party this Friday for Taylor and her friends. Does that count?
I never had bday parties growing up. My bday just didn't allow for it. Everyone was always out of town. My mom always made a HUGE deal for our bday though.
We do parties every other year. Everyones bdays are so close together it gets really hectic. We still make a big deal for them and have a family party every year. Boys parties are the best. We do a water party for Cameron and Ashley since they are in July.
We do dognuts also. So easy.
I am always surprised by how big parties are for babies. I've done one friends party - incorporated it into playgroup which was at our house that day. I quite enjoyed doing it. I used to think it would be so intimidating but it was way fun. I've had only a few parties in my lifetime for me (outside of family).
I love birthday parties. I remember having them as a kid but none stick out in my memory as being super fab other than my roller skating party and one at a pizza place in Michigan, was it Billy Bob's or something?
I hate being the center of attention and usually act really lame because I don't know what to do. I handled my surprise bday lunch really badly this year. I was very awkward- I couldn't speak.
Landon's party sounds great. My SIL Kate is doing her son's 9th bday this Saturday and it's pretty much the same thing- some junk food, jumping on the tramp, soccer and maybe swimming. Nice to have a low stress party.
i like simple parties like this one that you had. i personally won't spend a ton of money on big fancy parties and rent places and things. low key parties are cheap and still you have a blast. my son has been invited to big elaborate parties and i am always saying. why?
Glad Landon had a fun party, oh to be young and not have a care in the world! My first birthday party was when I was 16!!!!! I would like to have birthday parties for my children.
I do a fairly low key party for my kids each birthday. The biggest stress is figuring out how to make the cake they requested. I only remember one birthday party of mine as a child. It was a surprise and it was fabulous.
I used to love being the center of attention. I have mellowed out A LOT as an adult. Now I don't mind sitting back out of the spotlight. Still love to perform on stage though.
How fun! I really like the donut cake! Great idea - boy parties are definitely more low key than girl parties - because boys do get into it, but they seem okay when some of the little details get left off!
Happy Birthday Landon! Looks like a great time!
I think birthdays are so important, and having a party is a great way to celebrate the birthday boy or girl! I'm so glad you didn't have to stress at all over the party, and everyone seemed to have a grand time. Thanks for letting Eva and I crash the all-boy party!
I'm glad the party was good. When I got home James was "ready" to go. I took one look at him and said you don't feel good do you and he looked down and shook his head. Very sad. I promised him we could bring the present over and play - but I may have lied with school looming...?
I loved the year James choose to have twinkies instead of cake. Low key parties are good.
I HATE being the center of attention.
I wish I could be like you and do parties the easy way. I pretty much swear off all parties after every one I throw! Soren had fun- he told me though, "I would like it better if I got to play with Landon alone." Maybe we can make that work. :)
I remember one party my whole life and only 1 girl came. I'm still trying to enjoy birthdays as much as you!
I love his 'true nature'!haha
We do bday parties every other year on their evens. Last year J actually had 3 huge parties in 1 month -a school friends party 20+ kids in the backyard with a rented huge 13 ft tall water slide, pool.
Then a cubs friends party and a 'party' after his baptism (not focusing on the party part though).
On their off year, they get to invite 1 friend to basically do anything -movie,dinner,pottery paint,shopping,indoor fun center...
This is how all 7 of us grew up. I love this tradition. My mom would throw us a beautiful creative party on a budget. I love parties!!
I think backyard birthday parties are the best! They look like they had a fantastic time--water, friends, donuts, presents--perfect!
I think parties should be fairly simple and fun. For whatever reason they can go over the top and parents end up spending tons trying to outdo other parties. Ick!
I had simple parties and I was happy with that. I don't like being the center of attention, luckily A. doesn't have a shy bone in her little body.
We do parties every other year - I love having them! Hmm, although I think that Hunter scored with two in a row! My favorites are the low key ones that "I" have fun at as well. Looks like a great day with Landon! Thankfully, the weather was still warm! Gotta love the water birthday!! - what is up with someone not finishing that delicious looking chocolate donut?
Haha! YES! I still can't believe *that* party bag, Jill - I'm still outraged about it! :-P
I think I'd have to overlook Landon's big truck-full of Costco sweeties, as it's clear it was all Landon's orchestration, the entire party - and he's just beaming, isn't he? Bless him.
I cannot STAND the attention at birthdays. I physically cringe when I hear 'Happy Birthday' being sung. It's like nails on a blackboard for me!
how fun it looked like just the kiind of fun a boy would have....hey you still haven't looked at my tagged post..
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