We had Turbo Tot’s first birthday party over the weekend. After giving it much thought, and conferring with her Godmother, I decided to take the easy way out do something different for Turbo Tot’s first birthday party. I decided to serve only cake and ice cream, instead of the full dinner and dessert I did for both her sisters’ parties. However, I felt guilty not throwing the same kind of shindig I did for my older girls. So I asked my dear friend Lora . . .
“Am I short-changing my third child or finally wising up?”
She answered unequivocally,”You’re wising up.”
Cool. That makes the party a lot easier to plan.
The invitations went out inviting guests to enjoy cake and ice cream from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Simple enough.
I baked a cake, frosted it and threw some colored sprinkles on it. No biggie. What a difference a decade of motherhood makes! For Sweet Angel’s first birthday, I was an absolute basket case because the guests were arriving and I still hadn’t finished decorating, with various colored frostings I tinted myself, the cake I made in the shape of Big Bird. I was so flustered and rushed, I scribbled in icing “Happy B – day!” because I didn’t even have time to spell out “Birthday!” Ah, the self-inflicted pressure of being a first-time mommy!
Turbo Tot’s party went smoothly. We were all relaxed and enjoyed watching her eat the cake with only white frosting. Who needs tinted frosting? White frosting is easier and doesn’t stain the baby’s clothes.
The neighbors and family from out of town left around four, consistent with the designated end time on the invitation. However, the core group stayed. By 5:30 p.m. the kids started saying they were hungry. Hmmm. Lora and I stepped into the other room.
“If we leave, they will leave,” Lora offers.
“No, I want you all to stay. This is fun. I just need to feed them dinner now.”
“I have some pasta and sauce at my house,” Lora offers.
“I have the makings of a shrimp dish,” I add.
Okay, it’s settled then. I go back into the kitchen and call out,
“Why don’t you all stay for dinner!”
And they all did. On the spur of the moment I was having a dinner party for 14 people. So much for just cake and ice cream! And you know what, everything worked out perfectly without any planning!
We had a such a blast and the last guest left around 9:00 p.m. On the way out the door, Turbo Tot’s Godfather said to his wife Lora and me,
“See, you can have fun at a party without all the planning!”
He’s got a point.