After my four child's bday party last year I made a pact with my kids, dh and I, that for now on bdays were going to be celebrated in full but small. We are going to Boston to visit family in the summer and I wanted to put our savings toward our trip.

Here I am on the first birthday for the year, of four, and dd is having three friends sleepover AND I am taking them to the matinee movie tomorrow!

Oh well, I guess they are only kids once!

By Imamommyx4 on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 10:09 pm:

I went nuts with my 4 yo dd's bday this year. Had a party for 24 of her closest friends at this place called The Bounce Factory. That cost about $250. Then dh and I took her to Chuck E. Cheese on her actual birthday. That was just us so that was only about $30. Then we went to the circus the next day. And that was another $80 pop. We all had a lot of fun and enjoyed it all. But the thing of it is, I can't blame any of it on her. All she asked for was a cool Pabbage Catch (that's her 4 yo Cabbage Patch phrase) doll and a My littlest Pet shop. And I hate to say it but she got that, too. The 3 ds are grown and she is the only girl. They never cared about the real big parties. We always did and do stuff for their birthdays. Usually whatever they asked for. but in retrospect, this was really ridiculous.
Next year, I'll try to do better.

By Colette on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 08:05 am:

I had 5 12 year old boys running through my house yesterday. I ended up leaving for the movies with them 45 minutes earlier than planned just to get them calmed down (and there's an arcade at the movie theater). have fun at the movies today and I hope the snow melts by the time you come up here to Boston.

By Conni on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 08:10 am:

2 yrs ago we started a new deal with our 3 boys. They get a choice:

a) a $100 bill and a small party with *family* at home/movies/etc

b) a bday party with 5 or less friends

They have chosen choice a every time.

By Lauram on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 11:41 am:

I actually love birthday parties. For my oldest son, it's great because he really has social issues, so he invites his class and we do something that he enjoys. I start birthday parties at age 3 and will stop them about age 9. After that, a few friends, movies, sleep over that kind of thing. For my oldest- his three year old party was at our house- make your own pizzas, tractor rides... We were insane- but it was fun! Four year old was similar- at our house with a guitarist doing Raffi songs (very cheap one- kid in high school). Five year old party (ds #2 was 5 weeks old), we did a swimming party at the YMCA. After that, I will NEVER do another home party. It was great! Six year old party was at a children's museum. Seven was a karate party at his karate school. THis year (eight)is an aquarium party. I am insisting that he consider asking his friends to give a donation to a charity in lieu of gifts. He is thinking of doing the Heffer project. He's actually really into it. I think he'll do a pool party next year at the Y and then that will be it for him (except intimate parties). For ds#2- he's turning 3 this year. We are having a gymnastics party at the Parks and Rec. I do have "rules." I only will spend a certain amount of money on the party- so that limits what I will consider. It can get crazy if you don't do that.

For us, it works out nicely since we are both working parents. Our kids don't get to do a lot of playdates at our house because we are so busy all the time. THis way, it's kind of like one big playdate!

I also figure- they are only young once! It's a great way to get their class together in a non-school situation. BTW- the three year old party is in three weeks! YIKES! So far 10 two and three year olds are coming. I'm VERY happy that someone else is "in charge" of that one!