Kid's birthday parties

This year I thought I'd change it up a bit.  For the past 6 years that I've been a mother, I have tried my hardest to pull off the best, prettiest, most photo-worthy, Pinterest inspired, fun birthday parties for my kids. Why?  Not so they have memories of how awesome I was, no it was strickly to be praised by anyone who would do it.  I realized this after I planned a gorgeous wedding for my now husband and I, that I am a person who needs to hear what an amazing job I'm doing on something.  I once had an old boss tell me she noticed I can't go long without a pat on the back and a job well done. I was pissed right off at her when she said it, but she was right.  I do!!  I am so insecure that I need people to tell me how amazing the party is, so I can say, Oh it was nothing, I just threw it all together.  Bullshit!  I spent hours online finding the perfect images to try to duplicate, or the perfect level medium Wilton cake to make to impress people.  My craft tote is busting at the seems with notions and paper and sparkles, that I might need for the next party. And you know what I learned over this past month?  No one really cares!  People appreciate it, they really do notice pretty things.  However, people did not care that I spent over $60 on Jelly Bellies to fill my 25 party favours at the wedding.  I know they didn't when we were cleaning up and my MOH took about 5 packs home with her, and so did others.  Which meant, those beautiful silver tins I searched a city 1 hour's drive away for, with the custom taste-tested compliment of 7 different Jelly beans, as well as tiny Thank You stickers and ribbons on them......was so overlooked and left behind on the table at the end of the night. 
Jelly Bellies.  Something so tiny and so delicious was the one thing I remember waking me up from my insanity of perfect parties, and I thought self...what the heck, why are you trying so hard??

Why am I going to such ridiculous levels of mom-crazy to give this smoke & mirror show of how perfect I am?  I AM NOT A PERFECT MOM. No where close, but I am really OK with that!!

So just the other day we had my daughter's 3rd Birthday.  She asked for a Sofia the First Princess picnic party.  Now instinctively, I jumped on Pinterest like it was my drug I was injecting in my veins.  I found dozens of fun Sofia themed games, favours, cakes, food, décor, all of it!  I was in Princess Heaven. Then I sat here deflated and feeling sad thinking here I go again, planning a party for who....certainly not her!  She is 3. She wanted a princess Sofia necklace and a picnic. She could care less if I went Pinterest-crazy to create this elaborate kiddie party. So we decided this year to not invite all the family to our backyard.  We took off and drove 45 mins away to this amazing park that also had a waterpark, picnic tables, washrooms, the beach!!  It was right on the ocean.  It was perfect!!  I went to good ole Walmart and spent about $10 grabbing Sofia napkins, paper plates, a table cloth and her beaded necklace.  Grabbed some party favour bags from the bulk store and filled them with a munchies mix, got some cupcakes from our fave cake store's showcase (I did not pre-order!).  I made sub sammies the night before, packed up our cooler of drinks, packed a bag of towels, bathing suits, and hats and we hit the road!  Those two girls loved it!  We spent hours at the park, and then the waterpark, went into the shade to eat our lunch, then back to the park.  Once we had enough of it, we drove to the other side of town and took them mini-golfing....or as the birthday girl called it Minnie-Mouse golf! It was so fun, and very shaded which was nice!!  Then we got back in the car, and the birthday girl requested her favorite song "22" by Taylor Swift, and we all sang along and drove back to town.

And the best memory I will have our this special birthday was hearing my little girl I the backseat as we drove away from mini-golf, say thank you for my birthday party, it was the best party ever! We gave her what she wanted....her family together, her picnic in the park and her princess necklace. It taught me a valuable lesson to stop trying so hard.  I am good enough just they way I am.  Going to extremes to pull off the most decorated party isn't what they remember. It's the laughs and giggles,  the singing country songs at the top of our lungs in the car, splashing people in the waterpark, the endless hugs and kisses from her big sister, her daddy home from camp to be there, watching her learn to climb the rock wall over and over all by herself, watching my older daughter go on a zipline for the first time with no fear, and then go again and again. (yes I have video!).  It's having the perfect day with my little family and celebrating one amazing, funny, beautiful 3 year old.

Everyday I learn from my children.  I am the most blessed person ever. :)