$130

Today is the big day, my little man is six. Six years of him being with us. Somedays it feels like he has always been with me, and other days it feels like he is brand new.

I've talked about it a lot lately, but life does not wait. It charges ahead whether you are ready or not, so I have (reluctantly and with many tears) decided to charge headlong into the next stage. I hate to see the baby years end, those are sweet and cherished memories. I have the indescribable good fortune to know that should my husband and I decide to add to our family, the odds are good that we would be able to, it is not a done deal. That said, for now, we are moving in to "kid" territory and out of "baby" land. This is the age of riding bikes, long lazy summers, and flying kites. Popsicles and scraped knees. School and homework. Reading, playing, dreaming.

As I wrote last week, we were aiming for a $100 birthday party. I am sorry to say that I did not accomplish that. However, I did it for $130. I am pretty happy with that total! We had a tremendous time, loads of laughter and squealing. The children went home with loot bags full of junk food that I do not allow in my home. My son had great delight in telling the cashier at the grocery store that he was going to be allowed to drink Kool Aid because we never drink it, we always use it for making play dough. I can tell you my heart absolutely swelled with pride when he told her that! He is learning what is good for his body and is happy, truly happy to have treats. He has not been "spoiled" and he can appreciate a treat for what it is. This evening, to celebrate his "real" birthday, we are going for burgers and ice cream. Tomorrow we will go back to healthy food.

$100 Birthday Party?

My little boy is turning six on Monday. Six already? Gosh.

After 6 years of birthday parties that have cost into the hundreds of dollars, we have decided this year we are going to really scale back. It's funny, we've felt this pressure to make the party big and great and creative, even with trying to keep the cost down, we've still tried to make it a huge family and friend event.

This year, our budget is much tighter (think 5 years on one income!) and I was getting nervous about a $350 price tag, and it doesn't help that a lot of other parties my son has been attending are held at indoor playgrounds, or other such places. We are going back to basics, we have always held the party at home, but this year, instead of a buffet of loads of different foods (inc. baked brie!) we are going for what my son requested... this year his "Can I have hotdogs, chips and kool-aid Mommy?" This year, an absolute YES. I think before it was more about celebrating with the whole family and friends. This year, the focus is on my son. It's his party.

I am setting a $100 goal for this party. I don't know if I can do it, but I am really hoping to! We're going to have totally kid friendly food, a home made cake, and simple party favors (without resorting to dollar store toys full of potentially deadly chemicals and that will be thrown away in 2 hours), I am going to borrow an idea from a very creative friend to use ziplock bags with scrapbook paper folded over and stapled to the top to create a custom loot bag. Would you believe in the past I have spent up to $12 a child on take home loot alone? Not this year. It will be stickers, and edible treats.

I will update this and post my total. Wish me luck!