Vannah and Me at Birthday #1 Monkey Joes!
As adults my husband and I usually go out to eat for our birthdays as a family, but don’t really do the “party” thing. This is just natural for us; however this was such a foreign idea to poor Petite Fille. Being all of 5 years old she came home from school Friday telling me all the people she wanted to come to her daddy’s birthday which was on Sunday February 13. She was so excited and having to burst her birthday bubble did not go over well, but in the end we settled for agreeing to make him a cake. Well when special daddy birthday day came, with it also came a major house catastrophe! I will spare you the details. There is nothing better than being woken up by hubby….while still sick with the flu….bright and early to face hours of fixing this house catastrophe! Well I guess it could have been worse, it could have been my birthday! I felt so bad that he was spending his birthday doing this! We literally would have been there much longer, but lucky for him he is married to a woman who doesn’t mind asking for help in the form of reinforcements! With the house catastrophe behind us, Petite Fille and I set off to buy my hubby a birthday cake, cause there was no way I was cooking after all that! She picked him out a nice white cake with sprinkles all over it! We put 4 candles on it (he was turning 34) and sung him happy birthday. Petite Fille (and hubby) were both happy, especially Petite Fille who now thinks she is one year older than her daddy!
Birthday #2 Chuck E Cheese
We had three birthday parties this weekend. One at Monkey Joes, and one at Chuck E Cheese. Oh what parental fun! Thank the lord they were not on the same day and an hour apart! Friday (February 18) was the Monkey Joes party for Landon, and Saturday (February 19) was Gabby’s birthday at Chuck E Cheese. Both were a sure win for the lottery of wearing Petite Fille out. I am a fan anything that keeps her moving, I think that too many kids are cooped up in the house too often. Monkey Joes has inflatables (like Kangarooz) but they have a parent spot, that Kangarooz doesn’t. I prefer Mokey Joes because of the parent spot, I think they have the right idea in regards to this, and what makes their parent spot ok with me is that there staff are really involved with playing and assisting the kids. Which helps me break the inflatable danger umbilical cord. The third party was a double party for both my mom (54) and brother (30.) We just had some cake and ice cream at my mom's house on Sunday (February 20.)
I am always on the search to find cost efficient, age appropriate, gift that the recipient will like. I have found a good way to do this at the dollar spot for Target. I have two different birthday budgets, family/close friends, and others….you know, those children that are in your child’s class, but you have no idea who they are. If it is a girl’s party then at the dollar spot they usually have Hello Kitty bags (not gift bags) that you can fill with other Hello Kitty stuff from the same dollar spot. They have socks, stickers, dry erase boards, lip gloss, stamps, pens, note pads, etc… all in the same theme. Sometimes it is Disney Princess or Strawberry Shortcake, but they run out quick so when I see that they have enough to make a “birthday bag” I usually by a few “sets”. I also supplement from the Dollar Tree or other Dollar Items. I purchase the amount that I want to spend (including bag) and have Petite Fille make a card at home (which also helps her practice writing.) This keeps me from overspending, but the recipient also gets a great present with lots of goodies and a special card made by my little darling.
I am a big bag person in general; I love anything that makes my crazy life easier. We seem to always be on the go go go, so bags, to me, make life easier. I have a going to grandma’s bag, dance bag, cheer bag, lunch bag, work bag, car bag, Petite Fille’s book bag, and those are just to name a few. The key it to always have them packed and ready to go, no dirty clothes, summer clothes when its winter, or expired snacks allowed! Another tip is to always have cash in the bags! I doesn’t have to be a lot, a couple of dollars in the cheer bag for concession stands at the football field, or quarters for the vending machine that gets mobbed after dance class, etc. I also have a small first aid kit from the dollar store in each bag, which has come in handy for more kids than just Petite Fille! At night before going to bed… when I am getting everything ready for the next day and packing lunches… is when I check the bags. I have a bar of hooks by my front door and this is the resting place for a few of the bags. When Petite Fille decides she wants to stay the night at grandma’s it saves me from having to stop and pack a bag, and I have assurance that she will have everything she needs. If I am going on a car trip (like the zoo in New Orleans) then I just have to grab the car bag which is filled with snacks, headphones, DS (and car charger,) colors and coloring books, DVD’s, something to drink, there is plenty to keep her busy. Because she doesn’t play with the items in the bags on a daily basis I find that the contents are more appealing. Someone asked me once why I don’t just keep this stuff in the car, and the answer is simply, we do not always take my car, we take my mom’s car, my sisters, sometimes mine but we usually decide right before jumping in the car.
Vannah girl putting on her make up!
If I had to describe myself in a 3 words I would say I’m organized, detail oriented, and dedicated to my family. I am defiantly not a put off till tomorrow kind of person. I try very hard to get as much done each day, and try hard to make tomorrow easier than today. I am hard on myself and push myself to improve each day…..but enough about me….I will however from time to time try to post about some ways I stay organized, tips that make my life easier so hopefully they can make other lives easier. I don’t believe all families are the same… so what works for us honey… may not work for you; maybe you could add to or change it up to work for your family! Heck I could be doing all wrong, so feel free to share your tips as well!
Run Petite Fille!!! The Gators are coming!