My big girl is 6 today. I asked her if she felt different today – and she told me that, ‘yes, I feel grown up today’. And she acted grown up today… Before I get into what went down today, let me provide some kindergarten context.
Breaking the circuit
Claudia did the birthday party circuit last year, and the year before… It all began in preschool really – when she was 3 or so. A group of 15-20 kids, growing up together over the course of a few years. It seemed like every other week there was a birthday party to attend – and the entire class would be invited. There were parties at homes, parties at museums, parties at the zoo, parties at Chuck-E-Cheese, parties at indoor gyms with bouncy things… you name it, we partied there. And it was dangerous. All of these party opportunities were setting very high expectations for Claudia – which were of course, passed along to me. Let me set a couple of scenes:
Party at home: Claudia (and I) were invited to a party at her friend’s house. It was one of the first parties that we attended since moving back to Madison. I didn’t know the family very well – which always makes the gift buying difficult. Claudia picked the gift out – and I reluctantly bought it – it was a $30 gift (note: too much to spend on a 5-year-old). Claudia loved loved loved the gift, and figured her friend would too. We arrived at the party, and were immediately thrust into a teeming mass of ~20 5-year-olds and their parents. The big screen TV was on – and 75% of the kids were glued to the tube. When it was time to open presents, the birthday girl ripped into everything and then promptly tossed each gift aside to rip into the next one – leaving each tiny gift-giver very disappointed. Claudia was crushed that her very special $30 gift was thrown to the floor without an ‘ooooooo’ or ‘ahhhhhhhh’ or a ‘thank you’ (leaving Claudia to pick it up and love it for a while). We then retired to the ‘play room’ downstairs. What I saw next was the most frightening thing ever. The entire basement was filled, floor to ceiling, with toys. Toys in big plastic boxes, on shelves, on the floor, on top of a trampoline… Wow. It was obscene.
Party at Chuck-E-Cheese: I was able to live for 35 years without setting foot in a Chuck-E-Cheese. I was christened last fall, and I’ve been trying to forget about it ever since. What a zoo! It’s like kiddie-gambling-pizza-pushing-animatronic-short-attention-span-theater. There were probably 8 parties going on at once. I can’t talk too much about it, I’m getting the shakes. Needless to say, Claudia looked at me and said, “I want to have my birthday party here!”
Who’s birthday?
OK – so Claudia turned 6 today. But there’s a reason that she’s turning 6. This should be as much a celebration of Mom and Dad as it is for Child, don’t you think? Well, whether or not you think so, what’s important is that we think so 
Here’s a photo of Grandma Mary holding Miss Claudia when she was about 1 week old… This is the lady that I celebrate on my birthday every year. I love hearing about my birth story… she was in labor with me for ~18 hours (correct me if I’m wrong Mom). She had been tiling the floor in the kitchen went it all started (talk about nesting). My memory of my birth story – as told by Mom – is that she ate ice chips all day while Dad went out to eat – and then when I was born she threw up on him! I should ask Dad what his version is.
I’m hoping to instill a little bit of history into Claudia’s birthday celebration. We sat down today and looked at photos of the day that she was born… she was really quite interested to see them. And I’m hoping to give her birthday celebrations that she’ll remember. This means only a few kids (from now on – her 5th birthday party was a crazy mob scene), only a few presents (so she’ll appreciate them, and remember where they came from), and only a few dollars (ok – this one is more for her parents sake).
How about Birthday Tea?
Claudia Jean is fancy. She is princessy. I’m not sure where this comes from, but it does provide some leverage. When I suggested to Claudia that we have a Birthday Tea Party with a couple of her friends – her eyes lit up. I hit the nail on the head. This was my ticket… I’m sure she’ll always choose fanciness over Chuck-E-Cheesiness. YES!
Miss Claudia requested the presence of 4 of her girlfriends over for Tea. They all graciously accepted the invitation. Now to fancy up the place… we chose to set the scene in the sun porch. Here’s what the sun porch looked like before the magic happened.
I vacuumed up the cobwebs, and shuffled things around, hung up some sheers that I’ve been dragging around the country, and her big birthday surprise… this bed canopy-netting thing.
I found this at a garage sale for $7. Score! I also found all of Claudia’s dress up clothes and brought them out for the party…
And here’s the old dining room table. It’s been in the garage for years… Eric cut the legs in half so it’s now kid height.
This is Claudia when she found the sun porch turned into a Birthday Tea Party room…
And here are the girls (and little bro), ready for tea!
While I was bringing them their cupcakes, I caught this photo of them with their tea in hand, offering each other ‘cheers!’
And here they are posing fancy for the camera…
Success!
So, here’s the bottom line:
- Canopy $7
- Ribbon to tie tablecloth $3
- 4 gifts from good friends – all opened, played with, and enjoyed!
- fancy tea time (blueberry, cherry, and peach tea), enjoyed by all ($2.30)
- cream cheese and cucumber finger sandwiches – mostly enjoyed by all
- homemade cupcakes – customized sprinkle application
- dress up clothes – enjoyed by all…
Claudia told me that she really enjoyed her day – that her party was really fun and that she really liked having her friends over for tea. I’m glad that she appreciated it… that feels good.
Oh, and I got a dozen roses too… Happy Birthing Day to me!
You might like these posts too:
