FoxMom23's Blog

     Overall the party was a success (at least that’s what the guests who we’ve spoken with since then have said), but looking back at it, there were so many things that could’ve gone better or been done differently with better results. And so this blog is going to be all about the party, (written in 2 parts because of the length) and will give advice, some comical and some serious, for anyone planning a birthday party for a child under the age of 3, particularly those doing it for the first time. (Granted, most of it is common sense, but you’d be surprised how quickly common sense goes out the window when you’re dealing with prepping for, planning, and having a birthday party for a young child. Trust me!!! )  

  The planning stage was pretty easy. This was the 5th time we’ve had a birthday party, and we had things pretty well figured out. We bought the invitations early, knew what we were going to make, what we needed to buy, who was going to be there, and had a list of what needed to be done. Of course all of these things are things remain the same for every birthday party, so that part should have been easy.

(Piece of advice #1- plan out as much as possible as far ahead as possible, and make lists. And don’t save shopping for the last minute, in case you can't find what you need right away, or after unpacking all the bags, you realize you forgot something and need to run back out to get it).

   As for the cleaning and organizing aspect… well that started off going really well, but somehow, despite my best efforts, there still wound up being quite a bit left to do the night before the party, and the morning of the party. Fortunately, my sister came into town Friday afternoon, so she was able to occupy and entertain the boys (and they entertained her as well), so that my husband and I could get more accomplished in a shorter amount of time.  We were able to finsh things before the party started, but it was close!!

(Piece of advice #2- if possible, have a family member available to entertain your child/ children at least the day before the party, if not a few days before).

    The weather definitely worked us against on Saturday. It was so hot and humid, that nobody wanted to be outside. This of course meant that we got to have the party inside. So, instead of everyone being outside and having lots of room to move, and the children having lots of room to run and play, we were stuck inside with much less room, and the only source of relief from the heat being the little air conditioner in our family room window.  And my poor husband actually had to be outside for part of the time becasue he was doing all the grilling. (I really did feel bad for him having to be out there near the hot grill). But at least a few of the guys at the party went out to join him, so he wasn't out there alone.

(Piece of advice #3- talk to Mother Nature far enough ahead of time, and make whatever deal you have to with her to ensure you have the ideal weather for your party.  I’m thinking next week I’ll put in my request for my oldest son’s birthday weekend. Granted his birthday isn’t until May, but hey, I want to have first crack at requesting the weather for that weekend). :)

(Part 2 to come soon)