If it aint broke don't fix it...

Ok this is possibly my new out look on birthday parties. Since I think somewhere in all the keeping up with the Jones we have lost sight of the simple pleasures all kids enjoy! So Duece is getting what I have been calling a "throw back" to the way it use to be done...with our spin on a few things:) I need to say right now that I DO make a BIG deal of birthday's at my house. Because when you have more than one child I think they need one day that is ALL about them and what they want to do with their little friends. Let me take you back... In February we attended a lovely birthday party at our local (ok hour away) Build-A-Bear. I thought it was a wonderful idea since the store does 90% of the work for you. Duece and I talked about having his there since it is his favorite store ever. But when he couldn't tighten up the invites to a manageable...I mean affordable number we had to come up with a different plan. Since our house is rather small I suggested the bouncy house. That was a NO! He didn't want to do the same thing as we were planning for Coops upcoming July b-day. Soooo since the use of our church is always free and I was trying so hard to rein in the budget (point of not doing B-A-B) I suggest we have it there and play REAL party games. Duece looked at me like I had grown an extra head as I explained that when I was a child we didn't have bouncy house, Build-A-Bear, or other outrageously priced parties that we played actual games at our parties. So ounce I sold him on a little pin-the-tail on the donkey, bean bag tossing, 3 legged race, musical chairs, face painting, fishing, and a horse race (using pool noodles) the planning began. We decided not to have a "theme" we would use a very gender neutral red and blue color scheme with lots of balloons and streamers! I think it is going to be alot of fun. I am going to set up several games inside and then a number of them outside split the kids into 2 groups let them rotate around to 3 of 7 games the switch saving "fishing" for last to collect their goodie bags. I have enlisted the help of several moms, friends, and grandparents to run the games. I think it is going to be alot of fun...He is excited and so am I. These games are sure to be a crowd pleaser:) I am happy to report that so far I haven't spent more than $20! And doing it on this budget I can actually offer lunch which Duece really wanted to do (I have no idea why). So if you ask me I think this is a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday...the old way! Because hey if it aint broke don't fix it...right?!?!