Who is This Party for, Anyway?

The boys are turning three next week.

This is where I earn my "Slacker" stripes.

I am not the mom who is obsessing over birthday themes 8 months in advance. I am not scouring the fabric shops and paper outlets looking for the perfectly coordinated colors and patterns out of which to craft the perfect party favors and decorations.

I'm not even sure the Super Why cupcakes are going to come to fruition by the time next Saturday rolls around. That would require me to actually pick up some fondant and make a template and do lots of cutting and my head kind of hurts just thinking about it.

Let's cross our fingers I get this one thing done- you at least need Birthday Cake!

See.

Total. Slacker.

Maybe that's what happened- I used up all my birthday mo-jo on those cakes!

Now, all birthdays to follow are going to be simple affairs with nary a party hat or noisemaker to be found. No special decorations, no fancy invitations sent weeks in advance to all family and friends. No multi-level cake displays.

And I think I'm OK with that. Throwing picture perfect parties for the little people is kind of exhausting. And really- is a toddler going to remember that perfectly mis-matched color scheme or the care you took to choose the square vs the round milk bottles on your milk and cookies table?

Doubtful.

It will probably blow up on Pinterest because it's pretty. But other than that, throwing lavish birthdays just another way to one up each other as moms. Frankly, I have my hands full with autism and the whole three kids 3 and under thing we've got going.

I hope when the boys are older they don't throw it in my face that we "only" took them to the Children's Museum and out to lunch at Boca Chica Taco House when they turned 3 and it ruined their lives because there were no hats or sparkling candles.

Note to self: pick up party hats and sparkling candles. And fondant.