My dd will turn 5 next month. She is completely obsessed with her birthday! I know most kids are but she starts talking about her next party the day after her birthday and everyday after! Her brother and sister have birthdays one day apart in the summer. Since she feels left out of that and then her birthday is so close to Christmas I have been doing a little something extra to make her birthday stand out to her. When she turned 3, I got a blow up Happy Birthday Dora for $10 on ebay. Last year she wore a birthday princess hat I got from Claire's, nothing major. This year she wants a Backyradigan party with a lot of games. She mentioned a few weeks back that one day she wanted the kind of party where people hide and yell surprise. Do you think a 5 year old will understand that is what is going on or since she literally looks forward to her birthday all year long do you think it may take some of the excitement away for her to be out of the planning process?

A long time ago they had a surprise party for my nephew when he turned 5. He had no idea it was anywhere hear time for his birthday so he was blown away,lol! It was so cute.

By Dandjmom on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - 12:19 pm:

She did say that whe woudl wnat a party like that. She must know what it is and what ti means to mention a thing liek that at 5 years old. I dont' thik she will feel left out (after she is surprised). You mentioned that she talks about her birthday every day, what do you say in response when she mentionds her birthday if it's nothing then jsut keep on doing what yuor doing. And if you still think she will fell left out then include her but not inthe real party details. ask her opnion on ( wether you use her ideas or not) your letign her think that she has a hand in helpign plan her party, she doesn't need to know the date/time of the surprise party.

By Tarable on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - 03:30 pm:

That is how I would handle it and I think that would be a really cool idea.

By Rayelle on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - 03:49 pm:

I guess we could even invite her whole class. If anyone let it slip they probably won't understand about when it is and I could probably still convince her they are mixed up lol!

By Annie2 on Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 12:00 pm:

I would give her one. Can you plan it for the weekend before her big day so she can still look forward to her birthday?

By Rayelle on Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 12:12 pm:

I was planning it to be the weekend before her birthday since the weekend of her birthday is the weekend before Christmas. I thought we might get a better turn out that way. Her actual birthday will still be fun for her, she has school that day so she can take in cupcakes. She is looking forward to playing pin the tail on the donkey and I found a game where you pin the bowtie on Pablo from the Backyardigans. I can get the room at the Y for free from working there and there is a moonbounce. I am starting to get excited about it!

By Dandjmom on Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 12:59 pm:

Sounds like a plan, the date, location, games. I say go for it. And I think this will be one of those on a list of most memorable birthdays for her. And the fact that she still gets to take cup cakes to school on her birthday. she is going to feel real special. Have fun for me too.