Sparky's Gone to the World- A TR 9/13/11-9/20/11 - Page 8 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Glad everything is coming together Miss Sparkle Pants. TOO cute about her thinking you were going to Disney. "But it's vacation!" Aww!
Thanks Jess! I know she cracks me up. Just wish she wasn't mad at me when she figured out we really weren't going on "vacation" and she thought I was just keeping her home from school for fun.
[QUOTE=OneLittleSpark;3652581]Hey Shelly! I haven't really posted on my PTR bc not a lot has been going on.
Yes, they are quite close in age. My DD will be 7 on May 28, 3 days after her Dad. LOL
Believe me, I have thought, Oh no, what if she doesn't eat her breakfast OR says "I want cereal!", can't put that on a plate! I have decided I am not even asking her I am just making her eggs, which she loves. Hopefully, she'll just eat them. If not I guess one of us will and then be like "OMG! Look at this plate!"
Hey Shelly! I haven't really posted on my PTR bc not a lot has been going on.
Yes, they are quite close in age. My DD will be 7 on May 28, 3 days after her Dad. LOL
Believe me, I have thought, Oh no, what if she doesn't eat her breakfast OR says "I want cereal!", can't put that on a plate! I have decided I am not even asking her I am just making her eggs, which she loves. Hopefully, she'll just eat them. If not I guess one of us will and then be like "OMG! Look at this plate!"
As I had mentioned earlier my DD 7th bday is coming up at the end of the month. We have been struggling trying to figure out what to get her. Honestly, I feel like she has way too much as it is! Gifts aren't a big thing for bdays in my family and DH never got any presents for his bday bc he had 5 brothers and sisters at home with him.
So DH and I have made bday more about the celebration then the presents. We do buy DD one or two items and give her some kind of party (which is part of the gifts).
We finally made her bday present purchases yesterday, and I think she will be quite pleased.
The set of 5 Power Rangers Samarai 4 in. figures (ugh...yuck), a set of 3 Squinkie Doos (the ones with hair), and sidewalk chalk that didn't fit in her Easter basket so I saved for her bday.
As you can see from the present list, I have a very girlie girl who does like boys toys as well. LOL
Every year I struggle with what to do for her party. She is at an age of having friends for a party, but still is far enough behind cognatively that she does better still with one on one...maybe one on two, maybe. So it was first decided that we would figure out some activities to make a day for her and her bff. We also will have a low key cake and ice cream for the family.
I looked into the family dinner train here, which is a train ride where you eat on the train and they have face painting, balloon animals, a train parade. DD loves trains! But the menu...not so child friendly...and at a cost of $40 per child and $46 per adult.....pass!
Then I heard that Cars 2 is coming out on June 24! So we have decided that we will delay her bday day with her bff till then. We are planning a day to see Cars 2, go to the arcade, and then out to lunch or dinner at Friendly's. OF course the girls will have all the frills...popcorn (with extra butter! like DD likes), soda, candy.
Having done this kind of day before for DD bday, I usually put together some kind of goodie bag for her and her bff (being only the 2 of them, I can get a little better stuff, lol). So I was thinking about some Cars 2 things. I will have to go out looking more towards the end of the month for a few small things.
We will celebrate with family the weekend of her bday with cake and ice cream. I think this will be fine.
I remember having bday parties as a kid, and I'll tell you what...dang they are expensive! Even for the smallest party. I agree with my sister who told me years ago, be careful with her parties...bc the bigger you go, the expectation is there the next year at least, if not to top it. I agree. I will not spend hundreds of dollars on her bday party. So far I have kept it pretty good. But my gawd, you can really outdo it. But is it neccesary? What is your opinion fellow PP? What do you do for your childs bdays?
Sounds like a good birthday to me! I think dinner & movie is a good idea.
Although both my boys went/are going to WDW for their 1st, but that's more of a family celebration thing. Otherwise we've just done pizza & cake at home with immediate family. Right now with the oldest only 3 he doesn't need a big party. He has gone to 2 parties for kids at daycare - one was at McDonald's (which I didn't care for because the play area is open to everyone anyway so it was hectic) and the other was at Monkey Joe's (an indoor inflatable playground).
I think growing up we might have had parties every other year maybe. I just remember friends coming over and playing games or sleep overs once we were older.
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I think your birthday plans sound terrific! Stefanie still has a "party" every year, but hers have mostly been family and everyone chips in on food and no party favors are necessary. She did have two friends sleep over when she was middle school, but most of her parties have been relatively inexpensive.
Sounds like a good birthday to me! I think dinner & movie is a good idea.
Although both my boys went/are going to WDW for their 1st, but that's more of a family celebration thing. Otherwise we've just done pizza & cake at home with immediate family. Right now with the oldest only 3 he doesn't need a big party. He has gone to 2 parties for kids at daycare - one was at McDonald's (which I didn't care for because the play area is open to everyone anyway so it was hectic) and the other was at Monkey Joe's (an indoor inflatable playground).
I think growing up we might have had parties every other year maybe. I just remember friends coming over and playing games or sleep overs once we were older.
See now I look at going to WDW for your sons 1st Bday, is a special thing you do for your family. Would you still go even if it weren't one of theirs 1st bdays? Do you go bc it's their bday or just plan the trip in accordance with their bday? I also think it's different when you planned to go anyhow, but decide to do it as a surprise for your child's bday (as some I have read done on here) or just around your child's bday. I don't have a problem with even if you (I dont mean you personally) do go to WDW for every bday. My issue is that the parties I have gone to for DD friends have all been things that I know cost hundreds of dollars. When you spend $400-500 on your 6 year olds bday, what do you do when your kid is 16?? Kwim?
It's scary to me. I remember having friends over for cake and ice cream, games and movies...maybe an occasional sleepover. Idk, maybe bc I was young, I had no understanding of the $$ that went into it. I just know that somehow spending $200-300 for a bday party, not including gifts, every year just seems somehow wrong to me. I have spent around that for xmas...though I do expect that number to get a little higher every year. LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
I think your birthday plans sound terrific! Stefanie still has a "party" every year, but hers have mostly been family and everyone chips in on food and no party favors are necessary. She did have two friends sleep over when she was middle school, but most of her parties have been relatively inexpensive.
That's a good system Cam! If I had more room at my house I would do a home thing and I know that would be cheaper...but I have an apartment with barely any parking...on a main road. So for now I have to figure out something out. Plus, I have the other issue of the kids are young enough and where DD is in a special needs classes...some of her friends are as well...not really yet at a point of parents just dropping them off. I know this from other kids parties. So you have to add parents onto the cost. Doubling or more everything. So it's hard. I think we have it covered though, and she will have a fabulous time with her bff. Truth be told I could have a party with 20 kids and she would only pay attention to her bff anyhow. LOL
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I don't have any kids, but I remember growing up I always had a party at my house with a few friends and pizza and cake. We maybe played a few games, but honestly can't remember. I think something simple is the best way to go, and dinner and a movie sounds great!!
We do go to Disney every year so the birthday thing is a bonus I guess. We thought we'd wait until kids were older to take them to Disney, but after going ourselves each of the 4 years prior to having Dylan we couldn't wait another couple years so that's how we came upon the decision to take him for his 1st birthday. Then as soon as I became pregnant with Lukas it was a given his first trip would also be for his 1st birthday. My in-laws go more than we do so it's just my parents that have been extra and this year my brother & sister in law will be joining us. Since Dylan's birthday is 2 weeks after Lukas' we'll be dedicating a day or meal to celebrate his birthday while in Disney too instead of doing a big thing at home. We'll probably still so a little something - dinner & cake - on his actual birthday.
Anyway, the spending of $100s is crazy for a little kid birthday party. I think your idea is a great one! It's something I'd want to do for my birthday!
Just finding your PTR. I really do think that my computer holds out on me and surprises me with one "PTR" or TR a day. Probably because it knows I will spend HOURS going over each one daily.
Loving your plans and congrats on all the ADRs.
As far as bday parties, I still remember all my friends and I having our parties at home. My sister now holds outrageous parties for her kids at places catering to kids parties. I don't think they care either way, enjoying the day is the name of the game, not impressing the neighbors right?
I don't have any kids, but I remember growing up I always had a party at my house with a few friends and pizza and cake. We maybe played a few games, but honestly can't remember. I think something simple is the best way to go, and dinner and a movie sounds great!!
Yeah, that is what I remember too. Bdays were always a have a small celebration with a few token gifts. Now adays it seems like "my kid won't like me or know I love them unless I go bankrupt kissing their butts to show gratitude for the day that they were born." I mean don't get me wrong, I love surprising and spoiling my DD as good as the next one but I realize and she needs to realize she's not the Princess of Cambridge! LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
We do go to Disney every year so the birthday thing is a bonus I guess. We thought we'd wait until kids were older to take them to Disney, but after going ourselves each of the 4 years prior to having Dylan we couldn't wait another couple years so that's how we came upon the decision to take him for his 1st birthday. Then as soon as I became pregnant with Lukas it was a given his first trip would also be for his 1st birthday. My in-laws go more than we do so it's just my parents that have been extra and this year my brother & sister in law will be joining us. Since Dylan's birthday is 2 weeks after Lukas' we'll be dedicating a day or meal to celebrate his birthday while in Disney too instead of doing a big thing at home. We'll probably still so a little something - dinner & cake - on his actual birthday.
Anyway, the spending of $100s is crazy for a little kid birthday party. I think your idea is a great one! It's something I'd want to do for my birthday!
What your talking about Kelly, is exactly what I was trying to say, that we are on the same wave lengths there. I think she will enjoy her day, like I said even if I invited other kids, she would just pay attention to her bff anyhow. Her bff parents had a small pizza party, their daughter and 3 friends and they had a talk with her to let her know she had to pay attention to all the girls and not just my DD, bc they figured that would happen. So this is good.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennie622
Just finding your PTR. I really do think that my computer holds out on me and surprises me with one "PTR" or TR a day. Probably because it knows I will spend HOURS going over each one daily.
Loving your plans and congrats on all the ADRs.
As far as bday parties, I still remember all my friends and I having our parties at home. My sister now holds outrageous parties for her kids at places catering to kids parties. I don't think they care either way, enjoying the day is the name of the game, not impressing the neighbors right?
Thanks for joining in! I get surprised with new entries sometimes. I will not have an email about a subscribed thread and then finally I get one and when I come here, there has been like 2-3 entries!
I am super excited about all our ADR's and plans. I think we got a good mix of oldies and newbies for both restaurants and attractions. One of the things that I am most excited about is sharing the places that my DH and DD haven't been too that I did on last years trip on my own.
Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about with the parties. It's like if you don't spend hundreds of dollars you are less of a parent or don't love your child as much. Plus, I think the kids expect it and making a HUGE deal like that every year starts (or feeds) the whole ego thing. While I want my DD to have pride, I want her to have real pride. Pride over her accomplishments and the person she is, not just bc she exsists...just bc you exsist doesn't make you "special". Kwim? I know that may sound harsh, bc of course I think my DD is special but I mean to the world...not just her parents.
Just finding your TR and joining in. All your plans look great and so happy you got your ADR's pretty much the first time around. I'm heading to the World about a month after you and feel like I'm a month behind what you are doing. I'm in the "lull" of planning right now.
Don't know if I'm too late about the b-day party stuff but until my son asks for a big party - he is getting something small. My son and nephew are one year and two days apart so my sister and I always split costs. They each invite 2 or 3 friends abut even if we go somewhere for the party or have at home, we each only pay half. Last year I was able to borrow a big inflatable slide and we just had an at home party.
This year - my son's 5th birthday, not sure what we are doing as we are going to Disney a week later so I'm thinking like you - movie and lunch, He does love Chick-fil-A so maybe just do something there at the playground.
Good luck I'll be interested to find out what you decide.
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I haven't really posted on my PTR bc not a lot has been going on.
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