From the Lioness' Den...

Hold On, Princess!

Tuesday morning, Shelby said "Mom, I don't want to rush you but my birthday is four weeks from today.  Are we doing anything?" 

 Crap. Hadn't really even been thinking about it with everything else going on. 

"Well, sure we're gonna do something - and I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out." 

Cue the eyeroll and heavy sigh.

Usually I go big for her birthday since she's my only child and it's the one time during the year I choose to spoil her.  I scale back at Christmas because she is so spoiled by my sisters.  Aaannnyywaayyyy...we've done the group at the salon thing, the overnight thing - complete w/movies, popcorn, pizza, makeup and music, and lots of other cool things for her birthday.  My one rule about it has always been that it's NOT AT MY HOUSE!  My house is too small and I don't want to deal with the destruction.  

This year, I decided I wasn't going to have such an extavaganza for her party. #1, because I just don't have the extra time that planning it would take.  #2, a little thing called $$ money $$.  Not much extra of that layin' around.  So yesterday, I was working away, and like a lightning bolt, inspiration struck!   The college here in town (parent campus of the one I go to) has an indoor swimming pool in one of their gyms that's available to rent.  Wah-lah!  I called & rented it....cheap too!! $25 for the pool rental and $15/hr for the lifeguard (not so cheap, but required).  From 1-4 on the Sunday afternoon before her b-day, the pool is ours.  COOL   All that's left for me to take care of is a cake & ice cream.  Everybody can come, swim & have fun, eat cake & ice cream and go home.  Done.

I presented this idea to Shelby after I picked her up last night when I got back from class.  Granted, she may have been tired, but I did NOT appreciate the reaction. 

"WHAT?  No overnight?  What else are we doing besides the pool?  When are we doing the 'family party'? "

Oh.Hold.Up!!!!  

"Now, listen here!  I don't know if you've noticed or not, but I'm slightly busier this year than I was last year around your birthday.  Working full time, school full time and you full time....not to mention we've added Leo & family to our lives. This year, you get the pool party - 3 hours - friends and family at the same time, that's it."

*irritating tsk-uh! noise*  "But last year I had the sleep over and this is a bigger birthday than last year." *sulking with arms crossed*

"Well this is this year.  I can cancel those arrangements just as easily as I made them, sweetheart, so ditch the attitude. NOW.  It's time for you to pull your head out and think of someone else beside yourself for a change."

*silence the rest of the way home*

She came around a little bit before she went to bed, and this morning she was excited about talking to the 6 girls I told her she could invite.  And, she did say thank you before she got out of the car for school today.

I think this particular battle is over - for now. 

www.heidishappenings.com

12:37 PM, Apr. 6, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Hum, at 37 I often regret not having kids, and then I hear these same stories from my friends...and I realize that my life isn't so bad after all.

I hope she has a great birthday...I'm sure she will have a great time and forget that things didn't go 100% her way. The pool party sounds way cool to me! Have fun!

Princesses and Birthdays

4:33 PM, Apr. 6, 2007 .. Posted by NewfiesWoman

Yea, the older the get the more they want for the ''party''. Lord friggin help you when she turns 16 then 18. Me will be plugging me ears for weeks ahead of time. LOL. Can't live with um, Can't live without um. Ain't they so thoughtful. Through you a thank you the next day like they is doing you a favor.

Good for you for putting down yer foot.

EASTER SUNDAY

8:11 AM, Apr. 8, 2007 .. Posted by Newfie's Woman

Yes, it is Easter Sunday and me is WISHING YOU AND YERS ALL A HAPPY EASTER. TO YER MAN AND ALL HIS KIDLETS TOO... AND OF COURSE YER KIDLET!!!!!!!! WHOOT WHOOT ....... ALL THAT CHOCOLATE!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWW