Two birthday parties happen the second week of February at our house. My oldest has firmly decided 'birthdays are overrated' and does not want a party. Not even to go out bowling with just the family or to a comedy show (which we have 4 free tickets already). HuH? He has developed this over a few years, starting from about age 11. I don't know EXACTLY why, but some not all, of his feelings probably stem from my stress and worries at having 2 big parties for both the kids during the years when they were in the ages 1 ~ 10. I am not going to pressure him, but hope he changes his mind.
The younger of my two kids LOVES the party scene. OK, fortunately she also has a sense of cost but unfortunately is a PROFESSIONAL DAWDLER. Which means she takes forever to make up her mind. I have given here a deadline of this Saturday to choose what kind of party so I can make invitations and send in time.
Her two choices are:
$ sleepover with about 5 other girls and we will do a nail parlor/make up/hair dresser theme. Throw in a cake and pizza (probably homemade) and rent a movie (Secretariat) and we're done.
$$$ trail horseback ride with 2 other girls and return home for a sleepover.
A wish list of birthday gifts they would like has been posted on a white board in our kitchen for a few weeks. I also have some secret ideas of things we did not give them at Christmas.
On my oldest list:
NFL football jersey
cap with NFL team logo
secret additions:
football receiver (sticky) gloves
wood box project
On my youngest list:
big jewelry box
earmuffs
ice skate blade protectors
rhinestone laces for ice skates
secret additions:
new sleeping bag for friend's houses and girl scouts
I wish I had loads of time to run around getting cost comparisons for these gifts!! Enter the internet...
Time Out: The internet saved a
Lots more at that price range, just click the sampler in the left sidebar.
The licensed football stuff is ridiculously expensive, and I am not willing to pay over about $20 for a jersey. So before I ran around to the nearby sports stores, I did an online check of what was available. SportsAuthority had clearance on just what I might like, official jerseys for $10-$20. YAY! The catch is that mostly weird sizes were left (extra small, extra large). Without being particular on a team or player, it was just a matter of finding one in his size. DONE!
The prices of football glove prices were about $15 on line, just about what I was willing to pay. In fact, it turns out I was able to pop inside the local store for 5 minutes and saw NO NFL JERSEYS and gloves for $40! BAH! So I ordered them online too. DONE.
Score Home: 1 set of birthday gifts done, time saved less shipping costs
Score Visitors: 1 set of birthday gifts and party to do
Post Coming Soon ~ Birthday Party on a Rhinestone Shoestring