"KISS" (Keep It Simple Sistah) should be my new motto, after of course "NWAHLC" (Never Waste a Hobby Lobby Coupon).
My little one, Michaela Byrd, turned 3 yesterday. With a birthday so close to Christmas, we do her party a bit later in January, and that works out nicely for everyone. She gets to stretch the birthday magic out a bit, we don't go broke after just celebrating Christmas, and I keep my sanity for just a short while longer.
Michaela Byrd is having a Cinderella party, very much like the one we threw for her sister just last month. We do homemade decorations (T is going to have to build another castle because he left the other one out in the snow and it got ruined), homemade games, and homemade cupcakes. I don't spend a ton of money or a ton of time putting everything together...
Because they are 5 and 3. They are impressed when I take them to Costco, so pretty much anything outside of watching cartoons is going to be a big deal for them.
Just because her birthday party isn't for a few weeks doesn't mean we couldn't do a wee bit of celebrating now. I surprised the girls with sprinkle donuts from Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. I got a mocha, which wasn't a surprise, but it was very nice. We even got to meet my sister and wee baby niece for a special lunch Chick-fil-a. Natalie helped her sister open a few gifts at home: some books, a Barbie dress, and a new Barbie that is a pilot, a vet, and an ice skater. This Barbie must be so stressed out with her multiple careers!
And while the girlies watched Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale (one of the better Barbie movies, in my humble opinion), I made a quick cake with Betty Crocker mix and, yes, store-bought Betty Crocker icing.
I needed to get rid of some chocolate icing from New Year's Eve, so I used it in the middle layer before adding vanilla and sprinkles on top.
And you know what?
It was good! I didn't need to impress anybody, because it wasn't about me...it was about her! And she thought the sprinkles were perfection!
So did I...
Very sweet post:-) Thanks for having us over!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! I think sprinkles can make any cake great:) I love to big parties for my boys, but only because I know one day they won't go along with whatever cute theme I plan! Plus as stressful as it can be, I love pulling off a great birthday party!
ReplyDeleteGOOD FOR YOU. It makes me so sad to see the huge productions that so many young parents put on in the name of "doing it for the children." You're right: kids DO think it's a big deal to go to Costco, or just about anywhere else, so anything out of the day-to-day routine is special.
ReplyDeleteThat Betty Crocker cake looks like it was delicious! And little miss Michaela Byrd looks pretty delicious herself. Happy birthday three-year-old Amanda!
Oh my, you have two birthdays right around Christmas! At least you get it all done with for the year.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great action shot with the candles.
Happy birthday, MB!
i agree-easy with no stress is the best! that's the way i did new year's eve too. my oldest's bday is on the 19th and i do the same as you-we don't have her bday party until feb to give everyone some time-makes it special too.
ReplyDeleteAwww! She's precious and reminds me of my daughter when she was that age, all that wavy hair! The cake looks delish! I love cake!
ReplyDeletemy kids love sprinkles too...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you all had a fabulous (stress-free) day!!
I love your mottos, hehehe :) Cake looks delicious!! Her face 'blowing out the candles' face is priceless.
ReplyDeleteIs she not the cutest thing?? I totally agree with you that birthdays for kids have gotten way out of hand. A party at home can be just as special and memorable as a party at some place that costs a fortune.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind a piece of that cake myself...it looks delicious. I'm with you "KISS"! I might have to borrow that one!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday little one!
we kept my daughters party simple this year as well, it was so nice to not feel like I had to "host" a big crowd. Happy Birthday to Michaela.
ReplyDeleteA very Happy Birthday sweetie!!
ReplyDeleteYour cake is fabulous!! Did you make a wish??
Hugs
SueAnn
So true!
ReplyDeleteI was the queen of HUGE birthday parties but this year when my youngest was turning 3 and hubby had been out of work for a year we just did not have the money...I felt sooo guilty but it ended up being really nice and fun
Aw! I think she is perfection, too!
ReplyDeleteMy girls are now 20 and 16, and as I was reading this post, I was missing the Barbie and Sprinkle Days.
Hmmm... sounds like a post waiting to happen.
Where was I? Oh, yes, the children won't remember the cake or presents much, but they will remember that mommy loved them enough to make their day perfect for them.
What a sweet post. Thank you for the memories...
Hugs,
~me
Girl, the fact that you iced a cake puts you oodles ahead of me. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd my favorite part of this post - They are impressed when I take them to Costco..." I love your girls. I'm also impressed at Costco. Sigh, we don't have one here.
Good for you on keeping it simple. We do a big party about every 5th year (BBC is only 6 if that tells you anything - ha). Love the cake - looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteAnd that baby is just precious!
Sprinkles are the BEST. :) I think your cake looks delicious! Good action shot of her blowing out the candles. How fun!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Little Miss Byrdie!
ReplyDeleteI am sooo jealous... I want that Barbie!
Happy Birthday Michaela Byrd!!! I'm with ya on keeping it simple. I have too many kids to do huge blowout expensive birthday parties!
ReplyDeleteI heart sprinkles! And I LOVE KISS...can that be my new motto too?
ReplyDeleteAlso, that Barbie is my hero.
Simple or extravagant, she felt how much she's loved, and that's what matters!!
Love this post! I totally don't get why parents spend big bucks on birthday parties their kids really won't remember, especially when something simpler would make them just as happy. Good for you!
ReplyDelete