Birthdays at our house are pretty low key compared to many. Still, the kids look forward to the day all year. They get to pick what I will prepare for their evening meal. Daddy always brings home a balloon. They choose what dessert they would like me to make. Then open a gift from us and their paternal grandparents are great about sending them a birthday gift as well.
This year Grace’s birthday fell on a very busy day, but she didn’t mind one bit. I had a doctor’s appointment in which I heard the baby’s heart beat again! After the appointment I took the kids to Krispy Kreme for donuts. Ya can’t go wrong there! Then I brought the girls home. We all changed clothes and went swimming with a group from church that had invited us over. We shared Popsicles after our picnic lunch and sang to her. She loved it!
We came home in time for our two hours of quiet time. Then I had about an hour to get our supper ready.
Sopa was her meal of choice, making life really easy for me!
She begged me for a bought cake this year. I let her only because I knew the day was going to be so busy. It killed me to pay $13 when I could have made it for three. I guess they just look so much prettier though! Funny thing was that no one really liked it all that much. Little Jason ate a few bites and said, “That’s yuckie cake Mommy?” We all laughed.
She was thrilled with her presents!
After she opened them we hurried off to Jason’s double header soft ball games. I packed little bags of treats for them to eat at the games. It was a simple birthday celebration, but my little girl felt duly celebrated. Five whole years–it’s hard to believe!
Hattie says
June 5, 2011 at 8:33 amHappy Birthday, Grace…..it’s so funny to see how it’s the little things that kids go for…..
Grumpy Grateful Mom says
June 5, 2011 at 8:35 amHappy birthday to your beautiful girl. We do simple most of the time at our house and my kids have just as much fun.
I also bought a store bought cake for my last kid birthday, just because I was too lazy to make one! Also, terrible. But, my kids still devoured it. 🙂
Rachel says
June 5, 2011 at 9:30 amI don’t like bought cakes either! Happy Birthday Grace!
RaD says
June 5, 2011 at 9:35 amHappy Birthday Grace!
They grow so fast, don’t they?
Sara says
June 5, 2011 at 12:54 pmHappy Birthday to your Beautiful daughter. We keep our birthdays low key as well. I think they are more special that way.
Anri-Louise says
June 5, 2011 at 1:51 pmCongratulations, and happy birthday. So glad about your baby too!
Kim @ Stuff could... says
June 5, 2011 at 3:51 pmHappy Birthday to Grace! Yes those store bought cakes, well not as good as yours 🙂
Nicole says
June 5, 2011 at 5:13 pmHappy Birthday, Grace!!! I have a little girl that is 5, too. Her name is Kayleah. (she turned 5 in January and will be in kindergarden in the fall).
We also keep our birthdays low key. Their favorite dinner, whatever cake they pick and a few little gifts. We did parties when they were little, but I hated having people come when the kids really didn’t care and feel obligated to bring gifts that they didn’t need. I think they feel more special when they get our undivided attention and some special treatment. Usually a visit from the grandparents just for them, too!!
Karen Dawkins says
June 5, 2011 at 7:02 pmThe biggest thing at our house is what will the cake look like. My husband loves to create birthday wonders. It’s quite amazing what the man can do with buttercream and a little food dye! Last year, he made our son a “golf course.” One complete hole, from tee box to putting green. He even used three little candy dots to put balls on the green. AMAZING!!!
The cake is definitely the highlight — what we talk about throughout the year. I LOVE IT!
Karen Dawkins says
June 5, 2011 at 7:04 pmI do have to say, though, that Ellie’s Gotcha Day (We celebrate the day she joined our family) we had a day much like yours. To get the celebration in, she and I picked up Chinese carryout — no time to cook our own — and she picked out a store bought cake. She loved getting all that gooey frosting and the flowers and stuff. But it didn’t taste as good as Daddy’s.
Ashwini says
June 6, 2011 at 3:18 amBest Wishes to all you children. Children never like what you make specially for them! I have never understood that!!We too celebrate in a simple way! My child doesnt like cakes, so I make do with whatever he tells me,but he sure loves the whole ‘ Happy Birthday song and cutting of cake without eating it! Best wishes again!
aurie says
June 6, 2011 at 6:34 amHappy birthday to your littl one! So funny about the cake 🙂
Jill says
June 7, 2011 at 8:12 amThis conversation about the cake makes me chuckle for two reasons…one, that looks like a T Thumb white-on-white cake that is my absolute favorite, and I request for my birthday every year and my family always gets it for me! Different strokes for different folks I guess.
And two…well, ya know that post you did awhile back, “Moms-We Don’t Know it All” (april 23rd)..true story…I was actually in a conversation with two gals who were conveying that same message to me with regards to baking a cake! Imagine how guilty and terrible I felt when I was lead to believe that I was “doing it wrong” because I used box mixes! Uhhhh…Not! ha ha ha What can I say, I grew up with an Easy Bake Oven, I thought I was baking! 🙂
EstherIrish says
June 7, 2011 at 11:33 amOh Jill that made me laugh! This cake was from Target. The cake part had a hint of almond flavor, which I liked, but the frosting tasted like pure lard with a little sugar mixed in! Now a cake from Central Market–that’s a different story! I use mixes too most of the time. They are really hard to mess up. Every once in a while I like to make one from scratch, just to prove I can–Ha!
Jill says
June 7, 2011 at 12:05 pmChuckling now even more :)…and putting Central Market in back of brain for next time we need cake. Thanks!