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Lindsay Metcalf
on Jun 19 2013 - 06:00 AM
My top five most important moments of the summer so far
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mara williams
on Jun 18 2013 - 06:00 AM
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on Jun 16 2013 - 06:00 AM
Eating fresh, local produce is good for body and soul
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Jim Cosgrove
on Jun 13 2013 - 06:00 AM
I just want to buy some pants. Please, turn down the music.
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- kim nakahodo - Profile | Pictures | Blog
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I promised myself I would not spend a bunch of money on Niko’s first birthday party. It’s his first birthday and he won’t remember it, I told myself.
I have kept the party pretty low-key so far. We are planning a backyard BBQ for friends and family. So far it looks like we are having quite a few people over for the party… a lot more than I originally thought. I can see how these parties balloon into a much larger event than people originally plan for.
I thought our party was going to be around 20 or so people – now I think there is going to be over 30 people. Wow.
I went to the party supply store yesterday just to pick up some cake plates and balloons…. so how did I leave with 2 giant bags of stuff???
The party fever took over while I was inside the store… and that’s what the store hopes for.
I fell right into their trap.
I had forgotten about streamers, party hats, banners, table covers, first birthday decorations, goodie bags for the kids and a splat mat for under the high chair.
I got to the register and asked the clerk if I had sucker written on my forehead. She laughed and said no… but I know she meant yes. I’m sure I wasn’t the first first-time mom she had seen go crazy in the store.
I feel like a fool, yet justified by the notion that he will never have another first birthday again. It’s our first child and I’m excited for his first birthday party.
I plan on keeping all of the banners and first birthday decorations for future use. We plan to have another baby in the next year so we can use them again.
It thought I could show more restrain than that, but I was wrong.Anyone else get caught up by birthday fever?
Every stinkin year! It's hard 2 spend less than $100.00 dollars it seems, even for a small, no frills party.Yep! Me too! Every year. Last years slumber party should have been cheap but 120.00 later just to feed the 12-13 year old monsters.The gals are absolutely right. About $100. And I don't think that includes gifts from Mom and Dad. :P I'm totally with you on the first birthday thing though. We spent about $300 on the party (not including gifts -although they weren't MUCH more!) for DD first birthday. The party store, the whole sh-bang. Splat mat too. :) There's just so much darn cute stuff, and you're going to take a million pictures. :) It's VERY exciting. Just, expensive. Honestly, you could probably just do your imediate family, you, and hubby, and baby gets the sugar free cake, and a little one year old hat. And y'all'd have a great time. :) But really, who wants to do just that? :p :) I saved all my stuff too, except... First FIRST birthday was pink... and SECOND first birthday is BLUE!! So I have to do it all over again too! Sam's is the cheapest place to get the most cake (if you're a member or can go with one), but I don't think they do the "baby" cakes. Pretty much all other bakeries (sp?) do. You get the normal cake for you+fam/friends, and baby gets a little sugar free cake just for them that they can smash their face into. :) Just don't forget to ask for it, OR TO PICK IT UP!!! (We forgot to pick up ours. -Boxed separately.) Also, double check to make sure the cake DOESN'T have aspertame (that's the spelling) in it. (Fake sugar. Bad for baby- but you probably remember that from your pregnancy days.) :) We also served whole milk (the cheapest brand on the shelf-probably Great Value) for DD's first birthday. Whole milk til she was 2, then 2% after that, and she turned out just fine. :) Good luck!! But plan on $100 every birthday after. :P OH! And make sure your guests DON'T BRING ANY UN-INVITED GUESTS!! It helps keep your costs down. And Babies R US usually has cute "I'm ONE!" outfits if you wanted to go a bit farther. :) Up tp 24m size I believe. Have a blast on his big day!!:)You'd be weirder if you were that rare parent that managed NOT to buy all that stuff. We have a huge family, so just food and drink really add up, but you have to have the smashcake (ok, not HAVE to. But yes, you have to. :-) ) and if there are other little kids, there are goody bags, then decorations then this, then that. I did save a bundle by making both the birthday cake and the smashcake myself for DS. By the time DD's first birthday gets here, though, I will probably be so worn down that I will be calling Sugar and Spice for sure!We have both kids parties together at my parents farm. They do all the food and that. I just get a cake for all of the guests to eat (my kids won't touch it) and that is it. No goodie bags for the other kids, not into that. Next year are are planning on getting a bounce house for all of the kids to play in because up north they are less than 1/2 the price that they are here in the metro. Our only real expense is the invitations that I make at vistaprint.com and order when they offer them for free so I just pay the shipping! My kids are happy with that and since we only invite a few of their cousins it works well for us. We usually only have 5 kids there (including my 2)! But mine are still toddlers so it may get harder as they get older!Gosh, I bet you would be mad at me if I told you how much I spend on each kids goody bags! Birthdays can be expensive, the party that is :) The way I see it is, some do it big, some do not-but kids have fun at both types of parties, so to a certain extent it is about the adults more then the kids. My sons 1st birthday was banana's though, and his 3rd b-day in 2 weeks isn't looking any less expensive :)Don't feel alone. Just ask my DH and he will tell you that I go way overboard for my DS's birthdays. I don't do the character birthdays, instead I go with a theme of what he is into. His 1st bday was a jungle theme since we called him our Little Monkey, 2nd Outer Space since he was fascinated with the moon, 3rd was a Circus/Carnival (the most expensive one, probably spent over $500) and this year he is having a Pirate Party. I told myself I was going to scale it down this year but my storage closet holds about 5 boxes full of stuff! I usually plan way in advance and that gives me time to scour the stores and get some great ideas. Luckily I save the money on the cake since I make cakes and can do that myself. Here is a hint on how to save on the supplies. If you are doing a theme only buy a few plates, napkins, cups, etc. in that theme then go to the $1 store and buy a solid coordinating color to go with it. Also try Walmart for solid colors. It is much cheaper and looks better than having every single item the same. Now you have me so excited for my son's bday in November! I just love planning parties! Happy 1st Birthday to your little one!
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