Birthday Parties

We get to attend a three year old's birthday party this evening.  It should be a lot of fun!  A few months ago we went to a birthday party at this same children's gym location, and James had a blast, so I am really looking forward to it.  Also Sam is a lot older than he was, so he will probably enjoy crawling around and exploring as well.  Not only that, but last time we were here, I was still recovering from my appendix surgery, so I just sat on the sidelines with Sam.  This time I will be able to join the boys in their fun.

Speaking of birthday parties, I have been doing a lot of thinking and initial planning because in March Sam, James and my husband will all have their birthdays.  Since it is Sam's first birthday, we will have a separate party for him at our house with all our family.  Then in the coming years (at least while the boys are young), we will probably combine their parties, so we can have the birthday at a fun venue.  For James, we are trying to make a venue work this year, so we don't have two birthday parties in our house within a few weeks of each other.  It is hard to figure out, though, because a lot of places charge a lot of money or it adds up quickly when you factor in food and cake and everything else.  It wouldn't be so bad except we have a couple little boys birthdays to plan in the same month, so overall the birthday budget goes quickly.  I think we may have finally figured out a venue for James that will work this year...we just have to hope the weather cooperates because it would be an outside location.  We will be inviting our families and then perhaps a couple of James' friends this year.

My husband has talked a lot about wanting to eat at a Michelin star restaurant.  It is an experience he would love to participate in.  I have done some research, and most of the Michelin star restaurants are rather expensive.  I talked with my husband about a budget for his birthday dinner and knowing the price limit, I am better able to navigate the restaurants and try to find a reasonably priced one.  Since my husband is only turning 29, we figured we will save a really expensive one for perhaps his 30th...or have some sort of adventure or something.

On the subject of 30, I will be turning 30 this year, but it is not until September, so I have awhile to think about that.  I am not sure what I want to do, but I think it would be a good year to celebrate big.  When I say celebrate big, I don't necessarily mean a big party, but probably something special my husband and I do together...I just need to think about what I would like that to be.

Both our dads have their birthdays this month, so we have been trying to schedule separate dates to have them over to our house for dinner.  This year we made them personalized calendars for their work with pictures of the boys in them.  Technically my dad's calendar has pictures of all of his grandchildren...I figured it was only fair that way.  I made one for my dad last year, and he seemed to really like it, and he kept talking about all the compliments he received on it from his coworkers.  Snapfish does a great deal...buy 1 calendar, get 2 free...close to Christmas, so I took advantage of this deal because the calendars are great quality and allow you add lots of pictures...you can even put pictures on the date of someone's birthday.

Anyway...needless to say, birthdays have been on my mind a little bit.