The Third Birthday

Well folks I am pleased to announce (however late) that all people involved survived Emma’s third birthday party! In fact, I think it was a super enjoyable experience and less stressful than last year! That’s always a win in my book. Actually I should back up to Emma’s actual birthday, which was on June first. I wanted her to celebrate on her actual birthday (her planned party was two weeks later due to swim team schedules at the pool). Thus began my long drawn out thought process on what to bring for afternoon snack/ bday treat to Emma’s school to celebrate. Not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but there are several kids with allergies in Emma’s preschool class which make it difficult to figure out what food to bring for any holiday or event. I was initially going to go the cupcake/ cookie route but it’s hit or miss with gluten free baked goods and I wasn’t feeling brave enough to go down that path. Fruit crossed my mind a few times as well but I could just see the looks of disgust and open mouthed shock from the kids as I pulled open baggies of grapes and strawberries. Finally, I came up with the solution that was the most simple, flavored frozen water (aka popsicles)! I actually took it up a notch and opted for Italian ice! Man am I glad Emma has a summer(ish) birthday! Italian ice every year from now on!

I also decided not to over think her present this year. She had been doing a lot of independent play about super heroes and such so I decided to make her a super Emma costume! I almost hit up the working mom’s friend Etsy but in the end, I braved the sewing machine and I’m so glad I did! I’m really considering making more for us to all go as super heroes for Halloween! We shall see…

I think having a little bit of extra time this year until Emma’s party helped. I also knew what to expect somewhat from last year and decided not to deviate too much from the menu (except to include some allergy friendly options.) I thankfully only had to go to one Costco for the cake and pizza, and I made everything else that morning. It was pretty straightforward and I only freaked out once when we went to pick up the cake/ pizza from Costco to discover I had lost the Costco card! Of all days to lose the darn card I lose it the day of the party! But being a friendly type place, Costco had us back on track in no time and even that potentially stress inducing lost card disaster seemed like a small blip.

Emma picked out the party theme herself. For months she had talked about nothing but having a Doc McStuffins birthday (google it if you are not familiar but it is all the rage with the 3 year old set). Then the day came to pick out the decorations and she ended up coming VERY close to picking out a Monster’s Inc. bday theme (poor McStuffins got trampled by some loveable looking troll things). But then it happened….(que angelic mood music). I’m not sure if the light bounced off a piece of glitter at the right moment or if the dreamy princess eyes locked onto Emma’s but all of a sudden, Emma made a b-line for none other than the Frozen décor! It was as if she suddenly found her way into the arms of an old friend and OF COURSE she had to have an Anna and Elsa birthday! I was sort of hoping Frozen was over but nope, apparently no movie obsession is complete without an afternoon drenched in paisley pink and turquoise décor with a thousand cheerfully mischievous eye balls staring back at you from cheap plastic. Of course I one upped the party store decorations…the more glitter the merrier as far as I’m concerned.  This year I did the annual bday banner, which came out awesome but literally took weeks. And then the team of M. Patterson and D. Patterson (mommy and daddy) churned out another Frozen castle masterpiece to complete the ambiance.

The actual logistics of the party set up ect. went fairly well. Although the old adage you pay for what you get rang true as I rushed to set up and clean-up (with 15 minute only grace periods for both.) It basically felt like throwing food onto a table and throwing decorations at people to set up and then cramming everything into bags at the last minute and stuffing them into the car. For the sake of laughing at myself, if you really want to know what goes on before you see the smiling faces and are greeted with open arms at a birthday party then hear you go….

Swimming went really well too….until someone puked in the pool and they had to shut it down to clean it. Luckily, our party peeps had been swimming for a little bit so by that point it was a good time to go home. I have to say that this year went by faster than the last as did the party, but I was so grateful to actually get a few minutes to chat with friends. Emma really enjoyed herself this year at her party and I’m so glad she did. Next year will finally be the year that Emma choses who comes to her birthday party. She actually ended up requesting to have her friends from school come this year but it was after I had already sent out invites to everyone else. I’m sad but also happy she is growing up and making her own choices. Cheers to 3!