Aloha Friday #2

Play along at An Island Life for Aloha Friday.

My question for you……..

For your kid’s birthday parties, do you go all out and make the party a major event or do you keep it a simple family thing?

I have two boys one is 5 and the second one is about to have his first birthday next week. I have always kept the first couple birthday’s at home and kept them limited to family. Now I have a very large family so I have a full house on party day but it is kept pretty simple.
Luke’s first birthday was at home but I went all out. He was my first and we had big balloons, grab bags for the other kids, and the house was all decorated.
Thomas’s birthday next weekend will be much simpler. Family, a few presents and some cake, I believe part of this is due to me getting cheaper as I get older and I also know he will never remember it. I am going to make a DVD this year of pictures and set it to music so everyone can see his first year of life while at the party. If I get a chance I will make a condensed version and post it for everyone else to see.
Now Luke’s birthday’s each year seem to get a little bigger and a little more elaborate as he now has several friends and they all have these parties also. Last year we rented a room at the YMCA and that was fun and not to expensive. We have gone to other parties that were much bigger and more expensive like the Pump it up parties and bowling with other kids. Now Luke thinks these are all parties that he is going to have for his next birthday. The Pump-it-Up scares me because it is not cheap. If you don’t know it is a place that has these huge blow up slides, obstacle courses and bouncers that the kids just go crazy on. Very fun but not fun for my wallet!
I guess my answer isn’t the best because I start off simple and seem to watch his parties grow a little bigger each year.

My Funny Kid

Luke is the funniest kid and he also has a little bit of a stubborn streak. I know he gets this from me so it just drives me that much more crazy when he starts being stubborn over something.

Last week was his first day of latch-key and I told him I would give him a dollar for some milk. One of his friends also goes to the morning latch-key and his mom told me he always gets breakfast. I knew that Luke would want to follow his friend through the line so I gave him a dollar for milk.

Luke: “Mommy, I don’t want milk”.

Me: “I am sure you will want to get milk so put the dollar in your pocket.”

Luke: “No, I won’t.”

Me: “Please put it in your pocket because I know you will.”

Luke: “No mommy I won’t.”

Me: “OK, then take the dollar and keep it and don’t buy milk. You will have it in your pocket if you change your mind.”

Luke: “Mommy I am not going to change my mind.” If only you could here the frustration in his tone.

Fast forward to noon when I am picking him up.

Me: “How was latch-key this morning?”

Luke: “Good, I bought chocolate milk mommy and it was good. Tomorrow I want breakfast.”

First I have to fight with him knowing he will want to go through the line and now he has and he wants to upgrade to breakfast. I know my kids way to well….

This child loves going to latch-key because of breakfast... go figure

Another Year....

Well today I get to notch another year of my life under my belt. Looking back at this past year I had some really great things happen and some very sad things happen and I felt I would share some of those things that have happened in my life this past year.

Not much after my birthday last year my son Thomas was born October 26th. I can’t believe he is going to turn one real soon. This year has gone so fast. I got to enjoy 4 months of maternity leave last year and that was wonderful and I will forever be grateful for such a great employer for giving me that time off and paying me also.

March first I returned to work and that was really hard to do especially after having all that great bonding time with Thomas.

In June my husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. That was amazing and we dated for 5 years before we got married so we have been together a really long time. I pick on him a lot but we get along so well I couldn't imagine life with out him.

We also took an amazing summer vacation to Destin Florida. My son Luke loved it and would spend all day at the beach if he could. The kid doesn’t want to learn to swim and yet he is like a fish that doesn’t want out of the water. Go figure…

A couple sad things happened where my cousin’s husband died in an auto accident and he left behind his wife, three kids and one on the way. She has tough times ahead for her but she is such an amazing person and seems to be doing well. Another cousin of mine died from bone cancer and this was also tragic. Both of these young men were in their 30’s and that is just too young to die.

My son Luke started kindergarten this year. I am just blown away that he is already five and will be turning six soon. He is learning so much so fast in school. Already writing sentences and reading a little bit. My first baby has grown up so much….

I recently got to change my work schedule and cut out 10 hours a week. I really want to be a SAHM but it just isn’t going to happen so I am hoping this reduced work schedule will give me more time with my boys.

A wonderful friend of mine called to have the radio announce my birthday and they did it yesterday by mistake. She was so mad but then they corrected it today. It was pretty funny!

I have to say it has been one really amazing year and a lot of really good things have happened this past year. I hope between now and my next birthday I will have another great list.

As for today I work until noon, off to play with Luke for a bit then I will pick up Thomas at the sitter. Eric is bringing home take out for dinner so I don't have to cook. Something tells me it is going to be a good day.

Blogathon....

Go check out the Blogathon at The Secrets in the Sauce. They have an all day Blogathon going on and are giving away lots of great prizes. Some fantastic stuff has been happening today and it is always a great way to meet new bloggers.

Five blogs that I love to read and comment with include:
Jaci at Ravings of a Mad House Wife she is a blast to read and so full of energy.
Sorry this is all I know at this time from SITS. Jaci sent me to the site and tonight was my first time. I am sure in a couple days I will be able to fill the page with lots of new blogs that I will love to read.

Birthday cake dilemma….

A couple years ago I found this wonderful lady who makes these amazing birthday cakes. She doesn’t cost any more than buying a cake at Wal-mart or Kroger and it is a much better cake.
Last year I missed her for Luke’s birthday because his birthday is right after Christmas, I waited to long to order it and she was too busy for the holidays. I was mad but found somewhere else to get a cake that wasn’t nearly as good. Well Thomas’s first birthday is coming up in a couple weeks so I am planning ahead and calling early. I am not missing my opportunity for another good cake. I call her to see about getting a cake. Darn my luck she will be on vacation that week in Florida. Now I have to find someone else to do his cake. WHY, WHY, WHY…..

Anyone have any suggestions for a first birthday cake theme idea? I did Whiney the Pooh for Luke’s first birthday and then Thomas the Train for the next three birthdays. I want something different for Thomas’s first birthday. I thought about Elmo but I am just not completely sold on Elmo probably because I don’t want a cake full of red icing.

What have you done for your little ones first birthday parties? Did you go big or small, all out or did you keep it simple with just family?