Party Time

It's that time of year again.  T-one day until Braden's third birthday party.  It's absolutely ridiculous to let a toddler birthday party stress you out, so I try to just be laid back about the whole thing.  But really?  Me?  Laid back with planning?  Doesn't happen.

It's not that I plan something extravagant.  In fact, part of the reason I left Manhattan was because I had heard one too many stories of a museum rented out for a two year old's birthday party, complete with a five tiered princess birthday cake, duck foie gras and champagne for the parents, live music performances, live animals, and a multi-thousand dollar price tag.  No, no, no.  That's all kinds of wrong.   

For the past two years, we've done the birthday parties at our house, and invited family and mommy friends.  We get subs and appetizers catered by Giant and/or Costco.  We buy those paper cone hats that all of the kids refuse to wear.  Nothing fancy, nothing big.

Birthday Party #1.  And oh my god, how was I so effing skinny back then?  Very depressing. 

Birthday Party #2 - Not as skinny.

But still... I'd be lying if I said I didn't get frazzled by the whole thing.  As a general rule, I don't like social gatherings where I, or my immediate family, are the center of attention.  As a result, wedding showers, baby showers, and even my own wedding haven't been the most comfortable of situations for me.  Actually, I take that back - my wedding was fine, after I had a few glasses of champagne.

You know, there's always the concern - what if no one shows up?  What if it's all silent and awkward and no one is having fun but everyone feels bad being the first to leave?  Did we get enough food?  Did we get too much food?  Do I/Braden have to open gifts in front of everyone?  Have I/Braden been successful at feigning the appropriate level of excitement? 

After the birthday party last year, my husband and I swore that we would never do a birthday party at our house again (*author's note - we now realize we have to do a birthday party at home for Casey, or else we'll be awful, unfair parents*).  So this year?  We will be having our birthday party here:

Not this specific fire station per se, but you get the gist.

How cool are we?  Yes, a birthday party at a fire station.  Apparently we get a room to hang out in, a safety demonstration (for 3 year olds?  Okay, they can try), and then the kids get to climb all over the fire trucks (assuming there are no fires - fingers crossed).  Add in some pizza, cake, and plastic fire hats, and this should be a piece of cake.  I've done all I can do, really. 

But if there is a fire, and the fire trucks have to go rescue some kids or animals from a burning building, I'll be so pissed. 

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One quick note - I've now officially been blogging for five months.  I've now officially crossed the 100,000 page view threshold.  And I now officially have my first sponsor!  Please check out Pinwheel Baby and Kids (in the right sidebar).  This is a company started by fellow blogger Valerie, and she is selling the cutest baby shoes ever.  I mean, what is more adorable than little baby booties with a pink cross bones design on them?  Love it. 

If anyone else is interested in advertising/sponsoring, just shoot me an email  - butidohavealawdegree [at] gmail [dot] com