My wife comes from one of those CRAZY about birthday families. You know, where the week leading up to the birthday is all about the upcoming day, and the day itself is all about the birthday person, and the week after is all about reliving and recovering from the birthday. The birthday person dictates how the entire day (or sometimes week) goes and they get a lot of presents. As for me . . . I come from a family where birthdays are often forgotten. One year my dad sent me a card every month wishing me a happy birthday, trying to figure out when the real day was. He eventually got it right (he was bound to), but in later years would still forget the day entirely. (I should give him credit for trying, and he has since has found a wife who keeps track of these things. I should also mention that I have a HORRIBLE balloon phobia.) So much that even writing the word "balloon" makes my hand shake and I want to throw-up. I don't know why (and, believe me, everyone asks). I have theories which I will make into a separate blog post some day. You can guess that I am not a birthday person. You can also imagine my surprise the first year we where together and I got a day of everything I wanted plus presents not only from my wife but her parents and her GRANDMOTHER! Really, her grandmother sent me a present, a card, and money!
How do we celebrate our kids' birthdays, then? We have opted out of big parties! YEAH!!! Instead we have a family party. (Which is, by definition, a big party.) The birthday person picks the meals for the day and what kind of cake they want. They get presents from grandparents. We do not give presents but instead we bring the birthday child out on their own, and sometimes that involves buying them something special. But we are trying to focus more on experiences--not only spending time with only that kid, but doing something with that child that might not be so easy to do with all 6 siblings along. I wonder if when they look back they will wish they had the large friend parties and throw their own kids elaborate parties and buy them a ton of balloons, or if they will remeber the special things they did with us. I can tell you that I love the time alone with them and hope I am always able to know them well enough that I can give them an experience they will enjoy.
Some of the experiences we have had include:
*Shopping spree at Nordstroms
*Tea party at local tea room
*Flight Musuem
*Laser Tag and arcade games
*Dinner out at favorite restaurant and movie
I like birthday presents, but I am not good at giving them. I am ashamed to admit it, but it's the truth. I also have a balloon phobia (the latex kind). To me, when balloons are present, someone is going to cry before the day is out. But I love how they look. And I love to see them being released into the sky. Birthdays are important. I like how your kids are celebrated! The celebration is what matters most.
ReplyDeleteOH, I DO like the mylar balloons.
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