Birthday Love

Each year I promise myself that I won't go all out on my child's birthday party. And each year I do. The past three years, Adrienne's birthdays have been a huge ordeal, and I never get to enjoy it. Too many countless hours spent preparing and decorating. Too many people end up getting invited. Too many presents for the kid to open. Too much over-stimulation. Adrienne ends up crying, I take like maybe ten photos, my house gets trashed, and wait, what? I didn't even get a piece of cake?

Oh, and get this, Adrienne came down with the stomach flu the night before her third birthday party. So all the planning, the money spent, and the food prepared was basically pointless. I had to call and cancel with most of the guests. I mean, the day of her party mostly dealt with me cleaning up poop. And the stack of presents? She could have cared less.

Done. Over. No more, "Pleased to meet you, my name is Basket-Case, and welcome to my child's ridiculous birthday party!"

So, when her fourth birthday rolled around this past December, we didn't have a party. We didn't have an excessive amount of presents. No invites, no decor, (nothing for me to clean up), and guess what? She. didn't. care. She opened a few presents, her two best buddies stopped by, we ate steaks for dinner, followed by a homemade chocolate dessert. And did I mention NOTHING TO CLEAN UP?

I wouldn't trade that day for all the parties in the world.

Full Disclaimer: I totally am not against parents throwing huge parties for their kids. I'm just envious of your skills.