Last year was a disaster (see my post from February 2008.) I was determined to redeem myself this year. Her birthday was on Tuesday so I knew it could be low key until the weekend celebration for her friends. It started out great with a chocolate donut AND waffles for breakfast served on her special birthday plate. She got to open one gift in the morning and it was all smiles when I took her to school.
After school, it was the same. Happiness as she opened ALL of her gifts before going to gymnastics. She got the Littlest Pet Shop Fitness Center that she had been dying for since Thanksgiving, cute clothes from grandparents and her aunt and uncle. The piece de resistance was a two-wheel (Barbie) scooter.
Things were going great. She got to bring a friend to gymnastics where she showed off by climbing the rope in record time. Then to dinner at McDonalds (her choice) for chicken nuggets and more play time. Finally we were home for birthday cake.
Oh dear. I forgot to buy birthday candles. Normally we would have plenty lying around but since we've moved I can't always locate things. The birthday candles could be anywhere. A box in the garage, a bathroom drawer, under the bed. Who knows.
I tried to downplay it with Leah. Maybe she won't mind. The cake is so cute (pink and purple daisies.) What was I thinking? The meltdown began. "I hate my birthday." "I don't want any cake."
Sobbing ensued.
But mothers are nothing if not resourceful. I found some darling, little votives that looked like champagne bottles -- but only five. So I scrounged around and found some tapers. Because they were so big I didn't want them to ruin the decorations so I gently put them on the side of the cake. Look.
I thought it looked rather cute but she was not convinced. More tears. Threats and scowls. She wanted nothing to do with the imposters. She fled the scene while they dripped waterfalls of wax threatening to cover the entire side with a parafin veil. But Lynn and I persevered and sang to her and she relented blowing out the candles before it was too late.
So far I am 3 for 8 on birthdays. Years one and two were fine but only because they were basically grown up parties. We didn't have a party for her 3rd birthday (slipped that by her.) Number four was a disaster. We planned a nice little party at a dairy farm where they could tour the farm and then celebrate in one of the pavilions but that was the year we had record rainfall and the dairy closed the party side. We quickly regrouped at Peter Piper Pizza where it was sheer bedlam. Kids running in every direction, tokens, pizza, soda pop galore. Her fifth birthday was my only other success. Pump It Up. A big warehouse with miles and miles of bouncers. Nirvana for the pre-school set. She had a great time and the party room afterwards was wonderful with an inflatable throne. That year I ordered a Barbie birthday cake which continues to be Leah's favorite!!! The downside of that year was that the entire thing cost $400 which is about $300 too much for a 5 year old's birthday celebration.
When she was six we rented a cabin in Northern Arizona and spent the weekend in the snow. We had a great time but she still complains about not having a party. Last year was well documented in this blog. I still suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome over that fiasco.
And now she's eight. I have a chance to redeem myself on Sunday when we have her party at Makutu's Island. I've never been but I hear it's a child's dream. She is having only 5 friends and she picked the guests without my help. I think it's a strange mix but I'm trying to let go since last year I orchestrated things and we know what happened. So, tomorrow evening will either be heaven or hell chez Woods. Wish me Godspeed.
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