Petty Coat Junction
Life has certainly changed since I planned my daughter Amy's 2nd birthday back in 1977 and my mother planned mine in 1957. I was visiting my Mom down in Florida recently and we put on a DVD that captured all the old footage from when I was a little girl. Right before my eyes was my 2nd birthday party in black and white. It took place in the house I grew up in, and all my little friends were there. The girls were wearing Mary Jane shoes and party dresses with crinoline slips. The boys were wearing saddle shoes, knee-highs, shorts, button-down shirts and bow ties. All the mothers were there, too. But no men were present. We played Ring Around the Rosie and Pin the Tail on the Donkey. We had yummy birthday cake that my mom made. (Even at 83, she remembered how delicious her cake was.) That was it. Everyone was smiling. According to my mom, everyone had fun. I clearly do not remember.
Then I found Amy's birthday photos of when she was 2. Our family came over and we all had Carvel cake. We also had a surprise guest appear: Mickey Mouse!
Today Amy is planning her daughter Molly's second birthday. She is debating where to have it and what the theme should be. She's in search of a space that can hold four sets of grandparents, children and both parents, as well as extended family and friends.
Is it me or has the bar been set higher? Do children at 2 remember the theme, or can they have just as much fun in their home without all the extras? It becomes very costly. And how do you limit the guest count? My daughter and son-in-law have expressed anxiety about having their divorced parents all together in the same room. I keep telling Amy, we are all there to celebrate Molly and my daughter should not feel anxious about the grandparents. But I know she does. Would it be easier to celebrate the way my mom did in 1957? Let the grandparents visit when they can and celebrate the month of March for Molly! That would be marching to a new tune. And besides, you are only 2 once in a lifetime, so why not extend the celebration over time? As my husband would say, every day is a celebration! Does that mean no birthday party though? I think not, at least for this granny who loves to party and celebrate joyous occasions. March on!