Need help with Party Ideas: PLEASE READ

[PrincessTigerLily]

I am preggo with child #3, and as it would happen, the baby is due 7 days before DD6's birthday! I think I will definitely bump up her party to early November which is a month before her real b-day (though I will be gargantuan by then anyway) but I need help with party ideas, please!
I am looking for an easy at-home party (she wants to invite the whole class) or party somewhere else, any and all ideas welcome!
(we are already considering a bowling alley party, but she doesn't seem to keen on it, although it would be really easy on pregnant mommy!)

 

[PollyannaMom]

DS's birthday is in November, and we did swimming at the Y two different years. The kids got a kick out of swimming in "winter" (we live in New England.) It was very easy as far as planning, and very little set-up.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

I have always done home parties, but in your case, you may not feel like pre and post cleaning. Maybe going somewhere would be easier.

Bounce houses are fun for both boys and girls. One time we rented one, and it wasn't as expensive as I thought it might be. That wouldn't work here in November, but maybe you are in a warm area.

My DD had a High School Musical party with both boys and girls. They all seemed to like dancing and throwing balloons in the air. It did get a bit crazy though.

My DD6 is going to a cooking birthday party tomorrow. I don't think it is the whole class though.

By far the easiest was our last party when my DS turned 9. We did a sleepover party for just four boys. I ordered pizza, and they played outside, basement, or with the Wii. I did nothing! Of course, my DH had to be the bad guy and tell them to go to bed. I don't do sleepovers until 8 though.

Good luck! I don't know your history, but my third was my only one who came early so be prepared.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

These are great ideas, thank you both. We live in the midwest, so outdoors is out...though I really like the bouncehouse idea and found a place that has year-round indoor bouncehouses.

DS2 was early (34 weeker) and I was on hospital bedrest for a week and a half before he came. So far (I'm 18 weeks) things look better this time around. Although this really does make me nervous, if I go on rest again or the baby comes early. DD is the first-born, and I want her to feel special about her birthday and not have it all be about "the baby", ya know? But if I do it any sooner it will be way too far in advance of her real birthday (early Dec).

 

[chloe770]

Definitely go for the indoor bounce houses. My DS and his friends love them and will stay in for hours. Good luck

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

bump!

 

[rt2dz]

My first and second have birthdays just two weeks apart. My older one has his birthday second. May I suggest having your DD's birthday after the baby is born?

I did this when DS#2 was on the way. Everyone thought I was nuts, including myself, but I kept having this little voice in my head tell me to keep it on his birthday. I planned everything well in advance and had almost everything ready to go. I DID NOT do it at home. It worked out better than I could have possibly even hoped.

Because I had someone else running the party, I didn't need to do anything with the kids. Or even cut the cake or handle the opening of presents/making lists. I didn't even hand out the goody bags. I then designated a friend to take pictures. DS#1 never noticed, never cared about what I did and did not do. I did nothing but show up. He didn't even notice when I snuck off to nurse DS#2.

What he did know was that he wasn't pushed aside in any way, shape, or form. And making a big to do over him right after the baby was born went a long way in helping him share the attention he was so used to be only his. Not to say that it will have the opposite effect if you don't, but I've found with each child they do better to have everything go as it otherwise normally would have.

Then, if the baby does come early, you'll even have more time to be recovered.

 

[Jajone]

My first and second have birthdays just two weeks apart. My older one has his birthday second. May I suggest having your DD's birthday after the baby is born?

I did this when DS#2 was on the way. Everyone thought I was nuts, including myself, but I kept having this little voice in my head tell me to keep it on his birthday. I planned everything well in advance and had almost everything ready to go. I DID NOT do it at home. It worked out better than I could have possibly even hoped.

Because I had someone else running the party, I didn't need to do anything with the kids. Or even cut the cake or handle the opening of presents/making lists. I didn't even hand out the goody bags. I then designated a friend to take pictures. DS#1 never noticed, never cared about what I did and did not do. I did nothing but show up. He didn't even notice when I snuck off to nurse DS#2.

What he did know was that he wasn't pushed aside in any way, shape, or form. And making a big to do over him right after the baby was born went a long way in helping him share the attention he was so used to be only his. Not to say that it will have the opposite effect if you don't, but I've found with each child they do better to have everything go as it otherwise normally would have.

Then, if the baby does come early, you'll even have more time to be recovered.

I completely agree with this. My DS was due the day before DD's bday. I didn't do anything different. I think kids would be much better off keeping it the same. She might feel like you are changing everything just for the baby by moving her bday. There are enough changes going on that keeping something the same will mean more to her than going all out for a big birthday bash.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

That's a good point, but I'm just worried that I will not have enough energy or sleep...any hints or tips?

 

[HelenePA]

I'm due on my DD#1's due date! Which is about 7 days from her birthday! I'm already begging to be induced a week early. All the others were late I figure I'm due at least one less than 41wk pregnancy. Anyway I have no clue what my dd wants to do for her birthday. I would like to have it at a pumpkin patch. We'll see how that all goes.

 

[rt2dz]

That's a good point, but I'm just worried that I will not have enough energy or sleep...any hints or tips?

Find someplace all inclusive. Somewhere that provides the entertainment and handles the kids moving from one thing to another. Somewhere they supervise opening the presents and writing down who gave what. If they don't provide the cake, buy it. If they don't provide goody bags, take care of it long in advance, put them in a box and just have it ready to go. We have TONS of places around here like that, there is bound to be somewhere where you're at. Get a friend, maybe someone who is attending already, to take the pictures, and then just sit.

If possible, try to nap before the party. I actually did ours at 10 AM so that it was done and out of the way. The car was packed up with what little I was bringing the day before so that I couldn't forget anything. I booked the party 2-3 months in advance and had done everything else 6 weeks ahead of time and put it all in one big box marked "Birthday". I then left it sitting out where it couldn't be forgotten.

Invitations went out 2 days prior to having DS#2. I had a list sitting on the desk with RSVP list of who was invited & then I just circled a response. I encourage an email RSVP by listing it before the phone number. I had even pre-addressed thank you notes with the first line "Thank you for coming to my party."

Don't worry about being an active participant; your DD will never care as long as she knows you were there and she has fun with her friends.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Here are my thoughts, but of course, take them with a grain of salt. No one knows your family like you do.

My DD is 6 now. She and her friends would be in a new baby's face oohing and ahhing. I would rather not have the whole class around a newborn especially in flu season. Do you have family near you? You could have a family lunch/dinner for your DD 6 actual birthday, but do her friend party before the baby arrives. Of course, you would have family or very close friends (just 2 or3) bring the food!

Also, in our case my oldest did MUCH better when #3 came. He was used to a sibling and just didn't need as much attention as when his little sister (#2) arrived. It probably also helped that he was 5, not 2.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

K and K's Mommy, really good point about the germs and kids! I think I would like to have the party done by the time the baby comes, and then celebrate just us on her real birthday. The other problem with delaying it is that her actual birthday month is December, and it is near impossible to a) find a place NOT booked due to holiday parties and b) get enough kids to attend DUE to holiday parties. So far the bounce house idea is in the lead, my mom just suggested a movie theatre party (I guess they also have a party room somewhere for gifts and cake, etc.), except I don't know what movies will be out at that time...
All these responses are SO VERY appreciated! Thank you!

 

[RedPanda]

Here's some help with what movies will be out at that time:
November 7 (Friday)
Quantum of Solace
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

November 14 (Friday)
Australia
Soul Men
The Road (Limited)

November 21 (Friday)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The Soloist

November 26 (Wednesday)
Bolt
Four Christmases
Gus Van Sant's Milk
The Road
Transporter 3

This is all from firstshowing.net. I'd link you, but I haven't posted enough yet! Madagascar 2 could be a good choice if you do the theater party. (I think the bouncy castle could be more fun, though!)

...Back to lurking...

 

[squirrel]

I agree, December is a busy month for most people. Have your daughter pick a weekend in November to celebrate her birthday. If she is involved in the decission then she will be more open to the idea.

I can't imagine taking children to a theatre to watch a movie for a birthday. Don't kids want to chat and run around and play?

The YMCA by us has a large gym and has an hour of play and then has a party room that they have set up with tables and hot dogs and chips for the kids. The parents bring the cake and goodie bags! They have staff there to cook the hot dogs and to watch the children in the gym.

 

[Aliceacc]

My older daughter turned 3 two weeks after her sister was born. Their birthdays are both in Febrauary, so any sort of easy backyard party was out.

I booked her party that year at Wood Kingdom. It's a local place that sells swing sets-- they host parties in their showroom. They have 4 or 5 different climby things set up, then do pizza and cake. I would imagine that other similar places probably offer parties as well. It was wonderful: I got goody bags and showed up, everything else was done for me.

Other parties we have had or been to over the years:
- Saf-T-Swim has GREAT parties (that's where Kira's kindergarten party will be next year-- it's $325 for 25 kids.)

- Bowling

- If you do want to have it at home, look into Funbus. It's basically a small gym on wheels.

- Gymboree has them, but they're expensive.

-Gymnastic places have them; you don't have to be a member.

- My older daughter is going today to a Rock Climbing party; probably too old for your daughter.

- You could do a movie/ food court party at your local mall.

-Build a Bear does parties; check to see what your location does about food.

-McDonalds does a party if the one near you has a climber. They start at breakfast time (my son has been to 2 breakfast parties) and go on through the day.

 

[kimmylaj]

my ds turned 3 right before his sister was born . had his party out of the house 1 month before my due date. it was the greatest thing ever. i haven't had a house party since (except family). it is expensive but when youre that pregnant it is worth every penny. by us a lot of salons do little girl parties with hair and dress up and put on a show. also in our local parent magazine there are people who come to the house and do the same thing. very kid like not at all adult pink nails and some glitter and a pony tail. we did this years at the little gym since you said she wants the whole class and not just girls this may be a better option. congrats and have fun
my ds is next to me and thinks everyone should get smileys on their message so heres 2 for you.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

What a great Mom you are for thinking of this so far in advance!

I have a friend that just went through this, and in the end they asked thier DD what she preffered. I'm not sure if it would work in your situation or not, but her DH took the newborn (2 weeks old) out for a drive, and to visit a local relatives house.
Thier DD had a small party at their house from 9-11, and loved having her mothers undivided attention for the few hours. A few of us girlfriends came over to do manicures & pdicures, and we all had a fun girly party! If you have a good girlfriend that would be willing to babysit in another room, this might work out too.

What ever you choose, it will be a special day for your DD.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

How about and Ice Skating Party since it's winter time. Around here we have a couple of places where you paint ceramics and they fire them for you. November should be prime time for kids holiday movies. One year my DD went to an art party . Basically they hired a local art teacher and she worked with the kids and some polymer clay. They each made a sign with their name on it to hang on their bedroom door. Maybe this year she would settle for a dinner out with a couple of her friends and a movie for a kids party and then you could just do cake and ice cream for family on a differn't day. She might see it as more bang for her buck !

Madagascar 2 opens November 7th

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

Ooohh! These are such great ideas! I am getting so excited! There are so many more options than I previously thought! Thanks for the smilies, back for your son!