[momraine]

Alright guys, tell me what you do or plan to do for your kids birthdays. Do you keep it simple or do you go over the top? Somewhere in the middle? Share!

[kretzklan]

Actually today is D's birthday - she was one excited little girl!
We do a rotating year schedule. One year, it's just family. They get a big present they've been wanting (or several smaller ones) - the get to choose our Friday evening dinner spot. We get a cake and celebrate them all day long. The other year, they get a party with friends. They can choose the spot (within reason) and they are allowed to invite as many people as their age.

Admittedly, when we only had one child - we went over the top every year. But, with three that adds up and I'd rather spend the money on family things, like vacations or exciting day trips!

Plus, two of our kids are VERY close - C's birthday is next Monday (one year older)...so two HUGE parties on two weekends in a row would be tough.

[SingleMama2B]

Being a single Mom, I am limited, so going over the top does not happen. The first year home, turning 9 and still learning English, "A" wanted a "bowling Party", so we invited her whole 2nd grade class. the turn out was nice for her - 17 friends and cousins. She had a great time. Birthday #10... she wanted a Gymnastic's party... The competitive gym has a party room, and they have to instructors for 1 hour. 12 kids, and boy do/did they work them out. The great thing with this, is that some boys came and had a great time too! Then it's up to the party room for 30 minutes. I had bottled water, juice and cupcakes. They all had a blast. Last year, #11, she wanted to go back to the GYM.... It was hard for her to decide who to invite, as I limited it to 12 (or the cost goes up 50% for another instructor), because EVERYONE wanted to come this year from hearing how much fun it was last year. Now for this year! Who knows? She has been hinting around about a SleepOver party with some girlfriends. This may be the way to go, but we will see.

[dlhall]

Natalya didn't start having kid parties until she was 4 (before that it was just family). For her 4th party, she had a princess theme and we did it at home with about 8-10 kids (they all came dressed as princesses or princes). For her 5th birthday, we had a Hawaiin Luau--it was a blast. As we were in the middle of moving for her 6th birthday I took her and 5 of her friends to the movies and out to ice cream. The easist birthday party yet. Her 7th is just around the corner and the plan is to have a "sleep under" party. This is like a sleep over (we'll have pizza, play games, watch a movie etc), but all the kids will go home at 9pm. My dd has gone to two of these and they work so much better than a sleep over.

Liz

[Jessi_76]

Fun! I love hearing everyone's ideas and about the parties you've lovingly planned for your children.

[MamaChinch]

I learned my lesson after two b-days home! Have it somewhere else!!!!! Delaney's first b-day home was for her second b-day and it was about six months after we came home. I didn't have a "welcome home" party for her, so it was sort-of both. Everyone, of course, was very excited to come help celebrate, so there were probably 30 or more people. It was a Wiggles theme, about 7 kids, and we had pizza and finger foods. We had a pinata and a treasure hunt the backyard of small item from the dollar store.

This year for her third, I attempted to kept it simple....but of course, Cyndi can't do that!...so the Safari Theme turned a bit overboard when I kept finding more and things and ideas for the party. Besides great decorations, like animal print balloons, we made paper animal puppets, and had a Safari, I hid stuffed animals all around the house and the kids had to find them. Also a pinata inside, due to rain, and pith helmets instead of party hats.
Both times, I found birthdays-in-a-box, so that was cool !! However, cleaning house for out of town relatives to stay the weekend, all the planning, etc. was awfully tiring !! More kids since she's made for friend in the year, too! I think I did keep the food simple, just put-out stuff or heat up easy and put-out...just a lot of it! Her b-day has fallen on Superbowl weekend last couple of years and both time I almost has her talked into a football party! She loves football !!

I am leaning towards the bounce house place for a party next time! With a Feb. b-day we can't plan for outside, there's a great little amusement park here that does b-day parties, and I might just wait to have her party so we can go!
Happy Birthday to the other Delaney and to Cole!!!

[mschweber]

In my daughters "circle" (ie. nursery school) it seems as if everyone has a party at some place (in two years everyone has had a party and only 3 have been at the families' home).

We did a dance party theme and it worked out great. The kids all had a good time. The party was not over the top but the cake was. Our daughter wanted a Car's theme (last year she wanted Cinderella.)

[Bcelli]

We do a "BIG" party every 5 years and family parties in between. Frankly, I prefer to have parties with MULTIPLE children somewhere other than my home because of the liability and the sheer stress of having a bevy of little kids running all over everywhere.