Simple Birthday Memories

No party is complete at our house without balloons and homemade cake. Motherhood holds many joys for me, one of which is making the birthdays of my children special.

My kids will never have a Chuck E Cheese birthday party. It was an executive parenting decision we made long ago. We've been invited to one too many of these parties full of flashing lights, screaming kids, noisy games, and mediocre pizza. Don't even get me started on the cost of all of this "excitement". Parenting is expensive enough without hosting the party of the century for a toddler. The birthdays of my childhood were spent at my grandparent's house, surrounded by family. I loved every minute of it. That is how I want my children to remember their birthday parties.

Because I pour so much of myself into the parties, it's difficult to pick the most memorable. There was the all-important first birthday party for my son. I nearly didn't finish the caterpillar cake in time because it was my first real decorated cake and it took longer than expected. My hand was throbbing from piping all of the icing stars but it was worth it. He barely picked at the icing of his smash cake. We finally stuck his hand in it. He wasn't thrilled.

A farm animal theme marked his second birthday. He cried when all of the guests sang happy birthday to him but loved having his cousin attend his party.

His third birthday was the first time he was truly excited and understood what was going on. He picked his own theme, Cars, of course. I spent hours carving and decorating cakes resembling Mater and Lightning McQueen. Motherhood is full of sacrifices. The night before his party, my sacrifice was sleep so the cakes would be finished. By then, he was an old pro and didn't mind the loud chorus of "Happy Birthday" in his honor.

My daughter has yet to celebrate her first birthday but I'm sure the party will be filled with similar memories. Boring to some, our little parties at home are just perfect for us. And I don't go home with a migraine from flashing lights and 500 crazy kids screaming all afternoon!