Smackdown: Party On Baby!

re: Smackdown: Party On Baby!

Beer? Wine? — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:36:00 GMT

Wow, this would of been such a nice article if you had left out the beer and wine. Why is it necessary to have alcohol at your CHILD'S party?? Would you let your kid go to a party that the parents had a keg at? It's a kids party. Can't you just have a good time and enjoy it with out a drink?

re: Smackdown: Party On Baby!

Sheri — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:44:19 GMT

I live right outside Chicago. Second kid's birthday is in July. We had the fun blowout party for his first. The second year, it was so cold outside (in July) and windy, that people were freezing. The third, it rained and I had 45 people in my house. My house could comfortably hold like 7 people. So, we have a pool, we have a grill, we have a deck and a small but nice backyard, but no more parties here. I'll be holding them in either an indoor party inflatable climbing thingie place, Build-a-Bear workshop or in a restaurant.

re: Smackdown: Party On Baby!

Manjari — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:46:49 GMT

I love parties. We will have parties for our kids' birthday every year. They didn't care about their 1st birthday party, but we did. At their 2nd birthday they had a blast (we had it at my mom's house with all of their cousins), and they are still talking about it after 3 months. There are a lot of people we love that we wish we could see more often, and a party is the perfect way to get everyone together under one roof. We made the food ourselves, and everyone helps. We would never spend more than we could afford. Even if we can only do a casual, small party every year, it's important to us to celebrate.

re: Smackdown: Party On Baby!

km — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:13:01 GMT

Like Nicole, I have an Aug. 11 baby and (2 years later) a Sept. 30 baby. Since the boys are so close in age, and we would end up inviting most of the same people, we split the difference and have a big Labor Day/B-Day party blow-out. It's worked great so far (they are 4 and 6 now).

Last year though, having moved to a new city (and into an apartment), we ended up having the party at a local park. We actually went through the trouble of getting a "party permit" (ie. okay to have music and alcohol, and you get to reserve a picnic area).

The permit cost $15, which I didn't mind paying--until the park ranger came over. "Hey, you guys got a party permit?" "Umm, yeah, let me find it." "Oh," he said, sounding surprised, "I was really just hoping for a cupcake!"

re: Smackdown: Party On Baby!

Laura — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:52:07 GMT

Amen! Our families live too far away for this, but we enjoy packing all our friends (with or without kids) into our teen-tiny Chicago apartment. It's fun for us, for both the kids, and baking a cake and providing goodies makes me feel like a "real mom" (and that in no way is intended to denigrate non-party throwers, I promise!).

re: Smackdown: Party On Baby!

Nicole — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:11:56 GMT

My boys were born 13 mos. apart in August and September. We have the tremendous joy of throwing one big blowout for the both of them. And, while they're young and not greedy for their own individual party- they have an absolute blast. We'll be doing it again this year as they turn 4 and 5 :)

re: Smackdown: Party On Baby!

leahsmom — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:32:34 GMT

I hear your side - and I think it sounds great! But, if you're not a homeowner (live in an apartment, or with family), the option for that kind of party goes right out the window!