I wrapped Ella’s birthday presents in Christmas wrapping paper because the Sesame Street wrapping paper that I was CERTAIN was sitting in my closet, was not actually sitting in my closet, or sitting ANYWHERE in my house. So Christmas wrapping paper it was!
This, combined with a store-bought cake and the fact that I ONLY invited the kids from across the street rather than have 73 two-year-olds on a three-hour sugar bender, and didn’t even give out goodie bags, it’s a wonder I can look myself in the mirror.
Thank goodness Ella is only two and didn’t notice or care.
I’m pretty sure she had a good birthday despite her mother’s shortcomings in the birthday party department.
Stephanie
May 28, 2009 at 12:15 am
You didn’t invite all 73 kids? Chicken!
Honestly, I don’t blame you. I always say the first birthday party is really about the parents, not the baby, and the second one is mostly for the parents, as the toddler doesn’t really know what’s going on, even if they appreciate the cake and presents a little bit more.
Stephanie´s lastest post..Mobile Notary/Signing Agent – Weekly Home Business Idea
Swiggy
May 28, 2009 at 3:16 am
I almost used xmas paper when I was wrapping the Monkey’s presents a few days ago. Luckily we had some plane brown paper instead. He was already thinking that his birthday presents were coming from Santa! Didn’t want to confuse the poor kid. I guess the age difference can be seen here. If he hadn’t just turned 6 I too might have gone with the more festive looking paper.
Swiggy´s lastest post..Happy Birthday, Monkey!
Heather, Queen of Shake Shake
May 28, 2009 at 6:05 am
Well, it could have been worse. You could have wrapped her presents in NEWSPAPER.
Amo
May 28, 2009 at 6:09 am
What’s wrong with NEWSPAPER, Heather?
I’ve used the comics on many occasions and have no guilt what so ever…
None.
Nope.
But the cake was homemade.
From a box.
With boxed icing.
Hell, I suck at this don’t I?
Amo´s lastest post..Finally, the BIG! NEWS! -but it’s more like a ‘Old Yeller’ or ‘Marley & Me’ kind of ending.
DesignHER Momma
May 28, 2009 at 6:46 am
um – I pull that kind of crap every year. All my kids (hopefully) remeber is that they got CAKE! and they got to open PRESENTS!
They can look back at the pictures when their judgmental adults and hopefully laugh…
DesignHER Momma´s lastest post..Eat it like a long weekend
Juliet
May 28, 2009 at 7:55 am
I wrap presents in xmas paper with a newspaper band/accent. I shit you not. And I write stuff on the band like this:
You are my sweetheart
my little sweetheart
even when you fart
I love you so.
*to the tune of you are my sunshine
Juliet´s lastest post..10 Things SAHM’s should stop doing right now
Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt
May 28, 2009 at 8:13 am
HA. I just wrapped Andy’s b-day presents in Christmas because it was that or Disney Princesses.
Only difference is he’s old enough to notice.
(The kids didn’t.)
Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt´s lastest post..Cabin Fever
OHmommy
May 28, 2009 at 8:14 am
LMAO at Heather. She is SO right. At least it wasn’t newspaper. My kids wondered about me that one year their bday presents came wrapped in Sundays ads. I told them we were being “green”
Happy birthday to your little girl.
OHmommy´s lastest post..In the blink of an eye…
Must Be Motherhood
May 28, 2009 at 8:26 am
Dude. I used to wrap Christmas presents in brown paper grocery bags that I painted with little green trees. Back when I was poor and “crafty.” It’s the unwrapping part that’s fun!
Happy birthday to that sweetie!
Must Be Motherhood´s lastest post..Grace in Small Things: 14 of 365*
The Glamorous Life
May 28, 2009 at 8:29 am
And you call yourself a mother??? I am revoking your license immediately.
Actually I was all…YOU HAD A PARTY? You are mother of the year compared to me. When my second was 2 I had no party. Or gifts. I bought him a balloon at the grocery store and took a picture….but I never got around to the party (it was 2 days before christmas)…But ya know what? I scrapbooked that darn photo of him and his balloon. So someday he will THINK I gave him a party.
Now who sucks?
Um, yeah. Thats ME.
The Glamorous Life´s lastest post..BlogCrush….filling AND delicious.
lceel
May 28, 2009 at 9:11 am
Hey. Paper is paper. All said child is going to do is make shreds of it anyway – unless, of course, said child is like my #2 Son, who used to CAREFULLY untape the present, pull off the paper and then FOLD IT UP and hand it to his Mother – to be used later. In which case – you’re screwed. Because then … then they notice stuff.
lceel´s lastest post..While there’s still time
kaitlynsage
May 28, 2009 at 9:46 am
First. Your child is HA-DORE-A-BLE. Oh my goodness.
Second, my favorite birthday party as a child was the one that had store bought cupcakes and only two other girls and we played outside the whole time and never even got to the cake or presents. I’m sure your daughter had the best time ever.
Jamie
May 28, 2009 at 9:57 am
Happy birthday to your sweetie! Yeah keep the party planning expectations LOW as long as you can because then you’ll end up like me…waiting until 3 weeks to book the much coveted gymnastics place for your soon-to-be 7 year old and it’s BOOKED.
It’s all just about the cake (I always buy ours at Publix) and friends in the long run, though.
Sweet sweet dress by the way! (hey didn’t you make that? seriously? Am I remembering right?)
Jamie´s lastest post..Schnockered In Suburbia
Crystal
May 28, 2009 at 10:04 am
That sounds like all my kids’ birthday parties. Except we only invite the grandparents and my brother. Now THAT’S a fun party.
Crystal´s lastest post..Whippersnappers
Burgh Baby
May 28, 2009 at 11:20 am
And THAT is one of the 2,548 reasons why I like you.
Burgh Baby´s lastest post..The Good and the Bad of Moving on Up
Miss
May 28, 2009 at 11:37 am
I’d be pretty excited about the Christmas paper. Christmas combined with my birthday? ITS LIKE A SUPER HOLIDAY!
Happy Birthday beautiful Ella!
Miss´s lastest post..Wordless Wednesday – Encinitas
Formerly Gracie
May 28, 2009 at 11:40 am
Hmm… I don’t know. She looks like a very happy girl to me. Maybe you’re not the parenting disaster that you think you are. Try harder!
Happy birthday, Ella! You have a gorgeous, heart melting smile
Formerly Gracie´s lastest post..I’m Your Only Baby. Right, Mommy?
ragtopday
May 28, 2009 at 11:45 am
Hear hear!
I put a stop to the goody bags this year – my kids are 8 and 5. Most of them are full of junk anyway and they cost good money! Which I’d rather spend on my own kids, thank you very much!
A party doesn’t have to be elaborate or themed to be fun or memorable. Happy Birthday Ella!
ragtopday´s lastest post..Fairy Houses
amy
May 28, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Sweet! And of course she’s happy as can be.
I still feel guilt that I nearly can’t believe over doing evites for Bear’s second birthday. Me of the theme party & engraved invitations, failed to order any.
I still can’t stand to think about not having a sweet engraved invitation to slip between the blank pages of his baby book.
amy´s lastest post..Kids Room Decor
Sarah @ Ordinary Days
May 28, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Sounds perfect! And is that the dress her mama made her? She looks stunning!
Sarah @ Ordinary Days´s lastest post..My Blogging Moods
Cathy
May 28, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Oh my gosh she looks SO happy! She’s probably happy because you weren’t so STRESSED about a cake, goodie bags, wrapping paper, or having 73 two year olds over at your house! =) Sometimes it’s good to let things go. Now if only I can remember that myself…
Cathy´s lastest post..Those Crazy Green Liberal Neighbors
MarriageMan
May 28, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Yes you can always buy some peace and quiet. I wish it didn’t have to come to that but I find myself resorting to that with my boys so often. I wish I could simply use my voice to get them to behave.
For my boys it’s legos. And anything to do with Star Wars or Pirates of the Carribean.
Lisa (Jonnys Mommy)
May 28, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I say make it as small as you can and don’t go overboard. Otherwise you lose all the fun of the day. So you totally did the right thing. Besides she’s two. I’m sure she loved it!
Maggie
May 28, 2009 at 3:35 pm
LOL…I wrapped my mom’s Mother’s Day present is Xmas paper; she never noticed. If she did, she never let on!
Maggie´s lastest post..Am I 50 yet?
Condo Blues
May 28, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Now you know why I buy solid colored wrapping paper – I always have “seasonal” wrapping paper, just change the color ribbon. If I don’t reuse a gift bag.
Personally I think you are gutsy and BRILLANT for not doing gift bags! Most moms hate dealing with the extra doo-dads that eventually litter the house that come in them.
Condo Blues´s lastest post..Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Mocha Icing
Aimee Greeblemonkey
May 28, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I have TOTALLY done Xmas wrapping off season. And the pics are deeelightful!
Happy birthday Ella!!!
Auburn Gal Always (Keri)
May 28, 2009 at 6:21 pm
You’ll all remember this party and laugh and it will be the best memories. It may be the only one you remember in detail.
LOVE IT! You inspire the overachiever in me to let go and just wrap everything in whatever paper I find in the closet!
Stephanie
May 28, 2009 at 7:33 pm
She doesnt look like she minded one bit! We’re taking G camping (in a cabin) for his 2nd birthday rather than do the party with all the hopped up toddlers.
Stephanie´s lastest post..The Princess new carriage
Jennifer
May 28, 2009 at 9:14 pm
A Moms gotta do what a Moms gotta do!
mountainmomma
May 28, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Hi, new here, but you are so clever! I never understood the new “need” for small children to have huge parties. I do not remember my second birthday but I have some good pictures. It was at the public park (I’m a July baby). It looks like we had hot dogs and chips and my mom made a cake from a box. On top of the cake were those great cruncy edible letters you get from the grocery store (I love those things). It looks like I had a good time, again I say looks like because I don’t remember it!
Rosana V
May 28, 2009 at 10:17 pm
too funny! i’ve experienced much of the same with my second…
http://chroniclesofmomnia.blogspot.com/2009/01/one-is-lonliest-number.html
look forward to keeping up with you and feel free to swing by anytime!
http://chroniclesofmomnia.blogspot.com
Rosana V´s lastest post..The Nth Disease
MammaLoves
May 29, 2009 at 7:18 am
If you ever feel guilty about the paper again (and I’m NOT saying you should) just turn it around and wrap it with the plain side out. A few swipes with some colorful markers and VOILA! (or Viola as an old client of mine used to type–it was years before I realized he wasn’t talking about some woman he worked with)
MammaLoves´s lastest post..A Note to My Youngest on His Last Day of Preschool
Elisa
May 29, 2009 at 10:31 am
Happy birthday Ella! Great ride
Elisa´s lastest post..A room of my own
the new girl
May 29, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Man is she cute. I didn’t realize that our girls were so close in age.
Or maybe I did and I just forgot it. Like I have everything ELSE in the world.
the new girl´s lastest post..Fun Fact Friday!!
mep
May 29, 2009 at 9:51 pm
The essential ingredients were all there: cake, presents, friends, Power Wheels. Your great mom status is not in jeopardy.
I just read an article in the newspaper about how in these tough economic times people are hosting birthday parties at bouncy places and Chuck E. Cheese and stuff during the week instead of on the weekend in order to save money. I thought to myself, “Whatever happened to the birthday party at home with cake, ice cream, and a few games?”
mep´s lastest post..The Awesome and the Awkward
Mrs. Flinger
May 30, 2009 at 11:02 am
ohthankgod, because O just turned two and we did some cupcakes with NO sprinkles, no candle, and no singing. Uh.
Oh, yea, and he got a single book and a balloon. LIke he needs more shait.
Love that I can share this with you. Thank you for being NORMAL.
Mrs. Flinger´s lastest post..Still A Little Girl At Heart
the planet of janet
May 31, 2009 at 12:31 pm
i have SO wrapped presents in newspaper … and btw, gift bags are your friend.
the planet of janet´s lastest post..Weekly Winners: May 24-30
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com
June 2, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Happy birthday to your sweet little girl!! =) I’m sure she didn’t notice the paper!
Jennette
June 3, 2009 at 10:35 pm
She is beautiful!!! Be proud:)
Christina
June 6, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Happy (ahem…late, sorry) birthday Ella! She and Mira got the same pair of sunglasses for their birthdays!
I’ll bet that store bought cake tasted great, and you had a lot less stress through the day.
Christina´s lastest post..Haiku Friday: DONE!