baumgak's Profile

I agree with you that unstructured play time is very important. However, there is definitely room for both planned activities and unstructured play. Even if I set up the most awesome art project ever to do (which, let's face it, I almost never seem to get around to doing!, but let's pretend I did...), it would still take the kids 15-30 minutes to work on, tops, and I've still got *hours* of the afternoon to fill.
I'm sure some parents do over-plan and over-schedule, but that's not me, both because I don't have the energy for it, and my five year old is so strapped from going to school that we really have a "less is more" attitude toward free time around our house during the week.

P.S. With regards to this: "I much prefer to have frozen dinners, have the cleaning done, laundry done, activities and crafts ideas planned, etc. But it's not always possible when you're not a stay-at-home mom." I had to laugh b/c it's not always possible when you ARE a stay-at-home mom, either! Actually, come to think of it, I've been doing this stay at home mom thing for a couple years now, and I wonder if I've EVER been that caught up on everything all in one moment? Ha!

This is so cute; you pulled it off really nicely. I was just talking to my girls tonight about doing a tea party birthday this year, so I hope you don't mind if I borrow some of your ideas!

We're having a combined party for our (soon to be) 2 and 4 year old kids this year. (And baby #3 is due a week later, so I'm guessing next year's party will be a triple celebration affair.) I plan to get away with this while they're young and change it up if/when my oldest gets interested in having her own party.
I like the suggestion the prior commenter made of sending separate invitations for the kids to send to their own friends in order to avoid the gift dilemma. Right now, my kids are young enough that this is not really a problem, but I can see how if they were inviting classmates it might be.
Also, as long as it's age-appropriate and something that you really think both (or all 3, as the case may be) kids would like, I think any parent or child who would have a problem with a combined gift (rather than multiple smaller gifts) is crazy! For storage reasons alone, as their mom I'd be thrilled with that! (Having 3 August bdays means a huge influx of "stuff.")

I've done the lap-child thing about 7 times with no problems and have never brought a car seat on a plane. I second the recommendation for a baby carrier (Ergo's my fave) and have not had the experience that a prior commenter did re: being asked to remove the baby during takeoff or landing. I've just been asked to show that my seat belt was buckled. Good luck!

you said it jsev! more power to the person who thought of it if she enjoys this activity, but I have to draw the line somewhere in the balance of convenience vs. earth-friendliness and cost-savings, and for me this is past it I think.

mdanger - would you say that to my face? to keep my child home in her bubble? would you say it to the face of my three year old, you know, the one with the "ridiculous" nut allergy? Please re-read my initial comment (and clarifying follow-up if necessary) -- am I really being "ridiculous" as you say? I humbly disagree. I was trying to be helpful. I offered food suggestions and pointed out a consideration the hostess might've forgotten about. I wish we could all walk a mile in the other's shoes before lashing out with such hurtful words.

MeganPie -- I'm really sorry you feel that way, but I don't blame you! I didn't mean to open up this whole can of worms. At least Danielle seems to have gotten a lot of good suggestions amongst the banter here. (I hope.)

hi! annoying food allergy mom here chiming to say please take note of whether you'll be inviting anybody w/nut allergies before going with a bar of nutbutters. (my daughter has multiple allergies, so I wouldn't really expect a host or hostess to fully cater to her needs, but given the prevalence of severe nut allergies, you might want to take that one into consideration given that nutbutters are so easily transferred from foods to hands to mouths to play equipment, etc.)

okay, now I think I should offer up something more productive/positive, so I'll say: build your own soft taco bar? I like the fruit skewer and dip-able veggies idea, too. If you were thinking of ordering out anyway, you could always do sub sandwiches cut into smaller servings, too. If not 100% healthier, it might at least be a change of pace from pizza?

AbbyNormal - I think my thoughts are the same as yours.

We did a book exchange party for our 1 and 3 year olds' party last year, but I think this year for their 2nd/4th (combined) birthday party that I'm just going to say nothing and let the chips fall where they may.

Don't get me wrong - I have no desire for a huge influx of toys or gifts, nor do I have tons of space, but I have to wonder: for all of the parents out there who are able to consistently throw "no gifts" parties for their children through the years (beyond those very early toddler years), is that how your parties were as a child? (Did you get to have birthday parties as a child?)

Because as much as the adult in me would love to go with "no gifts", I have to admit that when I was a kid, I loved getting presents at my birthday parties. Is that so wrong? I don't think I was selfish, just a normal kid. It's a joy I'm not sure I feel the need to take away from my children just for the sake of eliminating the storage headache.

The good news is there will be maybe 10 people at this party...it's not like a crowd of 50. I suppose that would be a different story.

Ditto what Pinetree said.
My thoughts exactly.

We have an old poster on foamboard (turned on its side, no less - admittedly super tacky and ugly) stuffed in our fireplace b/c we never use the fireplace and the poster keeps drafts away and kids out of the gas fireplace. This project would be a big style/functionality improvement over what we've got going on at my house. Oh, and I haven't noticed my kids jumping into other people's fireplaces thinking they must be harmless posters.

who knew -- guess it turns out I'm a bit of a traditionalist? black at Easter just isn't doing it for me. cute idea for Halloween, though.