My daughter will be 2 soon (when did she get so old!?)
I can’t even believe its been nearly a year since her 1st, 10o guests birthday extravaganza (read about it here .) This time last year I was trying to decide whether the impersonator should dress as Blue Hawaii Elvis or Las Vegas Jumpsuit Elvis. I chose 'jumpsuit' because at the time my daughter started getting into that shiny things that sing stage. It didn’t matter though, she was still afraid of Elvis (maybe it was that violent shakin' ..)
People have been asking me “Hey! Crazy-insane “new dad” – what are you planning for #2? Tom Jones and live monkeys with water guns?” To them I answer, “That’s a good idea. I’ve always liked monkeys, especially armed ones” But in reality, I’m never doing that again.
When you hear about parents who've gone too far with their kids' party, well guess what? I was one of them (and the wife just sat back and watched me.) It was fun and memorable, but in reality my daughter didn’t know what was happening. It didn’t need to be that big.
The next big party I throw for her will be her wedding - in maybe 24.2 years to somebody I approve of and who isn’t a football/basketball/table tennis player, Elvis impersonator, drug/car dealer, multi-level marketing anything, aspiring race car driver, or actor (the list keep growing....daily.)
This year we’re planning a small 2-hour stint at our Gymboree with about 4 or 5 of her (non-cranky) friends she sees on a regular basis (asks for them by name all the time) and their parents, and maybe (still not entirely sure) a few family members with little ones under 5. The family can get a little weird if they know another family member was invited to something and not them (I can just hear it now “Why wasn’t I invited?!? and then my response "Save the DRAMA for yo' MAMA!" *grrrr*...then run away.)
I know the "big 2" birthday plans aren’t very glamorous and some family and friends will be disappointed about not getting invited. But I have to remember that these parties aren’t about me, the wife, and our friends. They’re about a little girl who gets nervous with too many adults around staring at her to perform when all she wants to do is run around and play with other kids.
But when it’s MY birthday, when then – start the disco music, send in the monkeys and let that chest hair breathe...!
20 comments:
Hey this is a really sincere and nice post :) And I've already pitied your future son-in-law!
here's a money-saving idea: why don't YOU dress up as the Elvis impersonator? (of course this would necessarily involve you posting a picture of the show...!) and GOOD dad would do it... and aren't you like "creative" like that?! (evil laugh) You KNOW you want to!
I think you are a wise man. The party is for the kid, not the adults.
That said, I would pay you MONEY to see you in an Elvis jumpsuit complete with sequins.
Come on, Tony, do it for me...
LOL!
I agree... your little girl would *love* to see you dressed as Elvis... as would all of your loyal readers...
I know we haven't even met (I've just discovered your blog) and I don't live in LA (but I used to, so I have friends to crash with and swear I wouldn't take up residence in your pool house) but you must, must, MUST invite me to your next party, because anyone who has an Elvis Impersonator for their girl's 1st B-day is a friend of mine(even though I did NOTHING for my little girls 1st except cake, 4 grandparents, and a present or two. I have Elvis Envy...)
so then no Colonel with a bucket o' chicken?
HEHEHE
Happy planning.
Hope your daughter has a happy 2nd birthday. Peanut turned 2 Memorial Day weekend. We simply had a few friends and relatives over for a cookout.
Closest thing to Elvis was the plates/napkins/cups. They were Elmo.
Well, you're still on a grand scale compared with us. We enjoy a simple family birthday. We don't live near family, so it's only Mommy, Daddy, and the kids. That's it. And we go to Party Safari (similar to Chuck E Cheese but without the craziness and WITH the jungle birthday train ride). Our kids are always so excited and talk about it for weeks before and after the big day.
Blessings,
~Toni~
We throw out-of-control huge birthday parties for the older kids, but all babies get are tons of grandparents taking pictures and a cake. They are so ripped off, I now realize.
We scaled back after the first one too. I always figure the first party is more for the grown ups to celebrate surviving the first year of having the baby. The rest of the parties can be about the child and what they want.
Happy birthday to your beautiful little girl!
Wait, birthdays are for parties? Crappin' short pants and everything in between. I totally feel like I'm in The Twilight Zone®.
Badway
Hey, were you the one who told Lindsay to write about midget porn? Just wondering...
And um Tony? You ARE wearing a tie. (Or are you suggesting that that picture is not actually you?!)
We went really simple. Three girls who Pumpkinpie likes and whose parents we like came over for playtime and lunch with cake. Zat's it. Not even KFC!
I am a big fan of small, intimate parties for toddlers.
That said, the disco ball is sounding rather enticing!
Whatever you do, I'm sure it'll be fun.
Carrie
Yeah, in my house-hold it's my wife who plans the big-crazy-kid-party-type-deals.
carrie - I think a disco ball at every party should be a requirement.
kittenpie - Yes. Or No. Lindsay finds mideget porn good dinner conversation too.
Toni. - I'd love a Chuck without the Cheese. Where is this magical place?
Above Average Joe - Elmo/Elvis...aren't they kind of the same? Except one goes to the potty in public.
painted maypole - Consider me a "friend in Elvis"
Absolutely Bananas - Hey... I've dressed as a Bee-Gee once (and a Hooters Waitress...long story) but I draw the line at Elvis.
Besides I can't do that arm thing (I've tried), but I've got the shotgun fingers thing nailed down!
I don't care what we do for the birthdays... it just can't be at my house. No.
I agree. The Elvis impersonator is a bit much.
You really need to do the impersonation of the Col. That way you get to celebrate 2 of your three fav. people on the same day!
Oh, The Joys - The wife and I are the same way. Too much work...
dennis - I think I may have too find a costume.
You are hilarious Tony! When your b-day comes...I'll send over one of those singing telegram people who'll be dressed as the Colonel with a bucket of spicy wings, just how you like it!
But dude, with the new no trans-fat recipe...the chicken tastes like crap, don't you think?
wayabetty -- If the colonel (impersonator) were to arrive at my door with a bucket of spicy chicken...Hmmm
I honestly think I'll die on the spot.
With a smile on my face.
And a spicy wing in my hand (or mouth.)
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