OT- how to have a birthday party?

[la79al]

Okay, dumb title. But I am clueless. I have two absolutely great stepkids. The oldest is more than happy to go on a fishing trip for his birthday. Easy. The youngest to this point has been content with picking where we would go out to eat. Easy. Except last year right after her birthday, we bought our house and as she is getting older, I am feeling more and more like we should have a birthday party for her. Except I am stuck on a couple of things. Like who to invite. We live an hour away from where she goes to school so all of her school friends are out. We have some kids in the neighborhood that she plays with but she has a love-hate relationship with the 4 year old, the 6 year old is a boy (brother of 4 year old) and all the others are older. We have some friends with a little girl close to her age but they have only met once or twice. My family and his family of course adore DSD but the youngest person in either family is around 13. I just don't think she would have as much fun with all grown-ups.
Okay, but assuming I invite all the little kids mentioned above and just have a strange assortment, what do I do with them then? Do I just get outside stuff and let them play outside or do I get games and have them all play the games? If I get the games, do I get prizes or just goody bags or what? What do I do with the adults while I am playing games with the kids? Even if I don't get the games, what do I do with the adults? Is 11 too early for it? How long should it last?
As you can tell I really have no clue and letting her pick out where we go to eat is sounding better and better......Help?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Does her Mom have a party for her? I would try to plan a super special day for her doing tons of things she would love.

 

[feedindy]

I love birthday parties and party planning, but I have to say in your situation I'm not sure I would do one. I think instead I would let her invite 2-3 friends (however many you can fit in your car) for a special girls day. Is there somewhere halfway between where you live and where your friends live? If not, maybe there are things to do in the town she goes to school so you could drive there for the day to do something special with her friends.

I think for something like that I would be willing to drive my daughter to her friends' house, but like you said not for a 2 hour party. I don't think they are quite old enough for a slumber party, but a girls day would be great. You could take them to lunch (or dinner), go to a movie, go shopping, have a spa day...

Oh, I just thought of the party idea we are using for DD next year on her 10th. We are having a Diva model party. The girls will meet at JCPenney where they will have group pictures taken. Then we will have cake and presents in the food court before returning to JCP to view the portraits. I will purchase a set of wallets so that I can send each girl a picture with the thank-you note. Their parents will be arriving for pickup right about then so if they want additional portraits, they can pay. DD is already excited about it and still has 9 months to go!

 

[la79al]

Her mom will more than likely have a party with her school friends. She would love a girl day but then I feel bad because I am only her stepmother and I don't want to exclude her father. Maybe just have the neighborhood kids over to play and have his and my family here. Maybe get some party games and let the older kids set them up. Cook on the grill, have cake and ice cream and call it a day. Or maybe I should just break down and ask her what she wants to do. She may surprise me.

 

[la79al]

Well, DSD has told me that she does not want to have a party and instead wants to eat at one of the new restaurants in town. I guess we are going to resort to eating out on Friday night and then having family over on Saturday for cake, ice cream and some kind of lunch. I just want to have family over cause the kids are finding out about our Disney trip and it will be too cute.

 

[bumbershoot]

As I was reading your 4/4 post, I was thinking...man, when I was with my dad and stepmom (whom I have always liked and loved), I liked to go out to dinner, I always felt more grown up when I was at dinner with them.

And then I read your last post.