Just a quick screengrab from etsy. holy organized people!
Oh, yeah. It’s true. I’ve totally lost it, all sense of perspective and sanity. Poof. Because when you spend even half your day researching “Vintage Circus Theme” and “Under The Big Top” parties for soon-to-be four year old twins, you’ve become a wee bit obsessed. But it’s fun! And so precious! Quit whining and just embrace your passions, lady. The wee ones will love it all. Yes, this is about them, dear, let’s not forget that… And, I’m talking to myself.
When I was pitching my rejection-themed “Greek Tragedy” as a half-hour laffer, I came ready to play, with future episodes up my sleeves—one of which, centered around a lavish birthday party… for a child:
Hattie Mae is a child talent scout with the personality of Simon Cowell. Despite the fact that kids’ birthday parties have become a new status symbol about town, Hattie Mae wants none of it for her nine-year-old daughter Alice Ann. No helicopter rides, grand ballrooms, or Justin Bieber serenade (how tacky). But when she decides to throw a dollar store do-it-herselfer and no one shows up, Hattie fears her social statement was made at the detriment of her daughter’s happiness. Floundering to get bodies into seats, Hattie summons her child talent clients, who arrive in sequined pageant outfits, singing “Happy Birthday” in hallways, thinking it’s an audition opportunity. Our lead Emmaline steps in, sharing her own embarrassments and rejections with Alice Ann, telling her that she can’t let this moment define her. In saying this, Emmaline realizes she must move beyond her grudge against Savvy (the witch who’d made her life Hades in college) + agree to model in Savvy’s charity fashion auction… where, naturally, Savvy thrills in dressing Emmaline in a gown resembling a Ukrainian Easter egg. In the end, it was Mabrey’s typo on the invitations (pm instead of am) causing the guests to arrive that evening.
I can’t even begin to imagine how I’d react if no one showed for my kids’ birthday party. Can’t. Especially when they’re at the age where they would take it personally. But it does happen. And it’s truly not the end of the world. But I could see how it might turn someone off from celebrating his birthday. I wonder if this ever happened to Phil (he won’t even let us sing to him, or wish him a happy birthday more than once). He gets angry about it. “Someone needs a cupcake,” I tell him. Sometimes he smiles. Other years he doesn’t. Now, I tell him it’s too damn bad. “Your birthday is for the kids, so lover, there will be cake, there will be candles, and sweet Christopher on Moore Street, there will be dancing!” And drinking, clearly.
It’s months away, I realize, but the birthday of my beans is approaching. And this will be their first ever birthday party, with invitations and kids their own age. Phil had resisted up until now. And he still might be against it. I can already hear it, “Leave me out of it. You wanted this, so you deal with it.” Poo poo.
So, help a mama out. What should I do to celebrate my boy/girl twins, turning 4, in the cold (yes, even for Texas, no outdoor party) month of December?
