S/O of 2nd birthday - What kind of party?

As Max & Lily's 2nd birthday approaches we have been discussing the party. We had a backyard BBQ type party for their 1st because we have a small home and invited the closest relatives, which totalled about 25 people in a 1200 sq.ft. home. My sister throws these huge blow outs for my 4 year old nephew at the Bounce House, etc. with at least 50 adults and up to 15 kids. We said whatever happened to your favorite dinner and cake with the relatives. That's how we grew up. So we are thinking of having two small parties for my family and DH's because there is a little bit of friction between the Grandma's (they like to compete to be super Grandma). So what kinda of party are you thinking of?

 

We did a cookout last year and we plan on doing the same thing this year. Their birthday is around Memorial Day, so it works out perfectly. Last year we got a moonwalk and it poured rain and we had everyone inside. Total waste of money. I was a little stressed to say the least. This year we are planning it with a rain date and will probably get the moonwalk again. The reason for that is that we have a small house and I want to keep all the kids outside. I think we'll keep it small this year. Close friends and family. Last year was a bit crazy.

 

Haven't even thought about it. We didn't do a real first birthday party. Just had a get together at my parents house where they served cake for the boys. No presents or any of that.

This year, I'd like to do more, but we'll have a newborn and we'll be moving across the country, so it won't be much of an event.

 

I have three sets of "people"... family, my bf and her family and then a bunch of moms w/toddlers. So I think I'll probably just do the typical family and my best friend with a typical BBQ style backyard thing. Then I think I'll have the mommies group and kids over for a play date. I did that last year, and it was fun to be able to celebrate with all our friends.

my bff always has a bounce house rented for her younger daughter's bday and it is fun... not sure if we'd do something like that or not... I don't really want to spend a bunch of money - maybe more when they are older.

 

I'm a big fan of the favorite meal and cake with family. For their first birthday, we had about 18 people (all family). I think we will do the same thing for their second birthday. I think kids' birthdays today are way overdone.

 

Last year we had a big party with a bounce house at the park. Pizza and cake. We had around 80 people there. It was lots of fun but crazy. This year we are having it at a church that has a chapel with all play equipment, bounce house, climbing walls, dress up, legos, etc. We won't have 80 people though. Maybe 40. And we'll do lunch and cake.

 

I have some friends who use their kid's birthday as an opportunity to have a big party for everyone they know. But if I'm gonna have a party, I'm gonna send the kids to bed early and have a REAL party! :laughing: I figure my guys are young and won't get anything out of a big gathering, so last year I kept their birthday celebration *very* small (9 people including them), and this year will be the same. I'm sure as they get older they'll want to invite all their friends, and do Chuck E Cheese or something like that.

We also live out in the country and don't know a lot of people with children our kids' age, so we couldn't invite a lot of families to their birthday party anyway. ardon:

 

We tend to just have family over and bbq or have a potluck type thing. Once they are older I'll give them options for other places but for now it's just easier and we can throw them in the tub and to bed after, which I love! LOL

 

Mine were sick last year, so we just had pizza and cake with the grandparents. This year, their birthday is on Mother's Day so I think we'll probably have a small celebration the day before with a few relatives. My kids go to daycare so I'm also planning on bringing cupcakes there too.