I have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest.
Few things undermine my sense of accomplishment as a mother, housewife and overall human being more than that ridiculous website. And, yet, I’m still enthralled with it. (That grumpy cat sucks me in every time.)
Pinterest tells us, “Hey, you want to plan a baby shower for a friend? Here are just a few clever ideas…”
And then it proceeds to give us:
- 75 of THE most fun games to play at a baby shower
- How to construct a 15-tier diaper cake centerpiece
- How to print an ultrasound photo onto fondant icing
- How to turn an audio recording of the baby’s heartbeat into background music for the shower
Pinterest says, “Oh, your child is turning 3? Here are a few clever ideas…”
- How to carve an ice sculpture of your child’s likeness
- How to create a photo booth so your guests can snap photos of themselves at your elaborate party
- 115 super-hero-themed cake pop ideas
- 25 ways to clean electric blue icing out of your upholstery
It’s gotten out of hand. It’s like Pinterest won’t allow anyone to have a low-key party any more.
What ever happened to hot dogs, Ruffles and French onion dip?
[Oh my word, I hope I’m NEVER invited to one of her lame parties.]
And can someone please explain to me how pregnancy and gender revelation became occasions that involve invitations, decorations, cake and professional photographers?
Y’all, I told my parents I was pregnant with our firstborn via knock-knock joke. No joke. Actually, it WAS a joke, and that is how I told them.
Knock, knock.
(Who’s there.)
I’m pregnant!
I didn’t even finish the joke. That’s how un-Pinteresting I am when it comes to stuff like this.
So, it may come as no surprise to you that I’m not the type to spend $1,000 on a toddler’s birthday party when he or she will 1) not remember and 2) pee through an outfit, cry, vomit or fall asleep in the middle of it.
Now, before I continue, I have to throw out this disclaimer for those who are the Pinteresting type. Those who, like my mother, polish silver and pull out the crystal for a Super Bowl party. I love parties. I love to attend them. I actually love to throw somewhat elaborate parties on occasion. Yes, ON OCCASION.
But you won’t catch me whipping up a batch of petit fours for Flag Day, or Groundhog Day or every time my children lose a tooth. And probably not even for every birthday.
It’s just not my area of giftedness.
So, for JJ’s third birthday last weekend, we decided to share an experience rather than throw a party. Just the six of us (Brian, me, the kids, and my parents) went to Union Station and Science City in Kansas City, Missouri.
Nothing expensive. Nothing elaborate. But I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the day.
We played.
Even the “grown-ups.”
We laughed.
We explored.
Mom took thousands of photos of us (which is why she isn’t in any them).
And when the kids started to melt down (as kids tend to do), we all headed out for ice cream. Well, the adults had ice cream. The kids had a fruit and yogurt smoothie.
Because I’m the mom, that’s why.
Now, I won’t sit here and proclaim that my children will never have elaborate birthday parties. I’ve learned to rarely say never when it comes to motherhood. Because the time may come when they BEG me to throw them a more Pinteresting birthday party. And I’ll hop on board and buy the Justin Bieber cake mold and whatnot.
Kidding. I will NEVER do that.
You can go ahead carve that one on a stone tablet.
But, for now, I’m glad we chose to celebrate JJ’s birthday the same way we did three years ago:
With my wonderful parents.
Loving on our firstborn.
And in absolute awe that God would entrust us with such a precious treasure.
Thankfully, there was a lot less blood, screaming and crying this time.
Well, there was less blood this time.
Pinterest, you can’t convince me that dump truck centerpieces and Spiderman cake pops could add anything to the joy of that simple day out with my family.
Unless you know of a way to transfer that grumpy cat’s face onto a cake. Then we should probably chat.
Do you regularly throw Pinteresting parties? If so, would you agree to send me all your leftover petit fours?
You can click here to follow me on Pinterest. Just don’t expect a ton of birthday party ideas.
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[…] like we did for JJ back in April, we planned a mandatory family fun outing to celebrate Averi’s second birthday. I say […]
I am a very low-key birthday celebrater also. I look at those Pinterest pics with blue balloons popping out of a box with “I’m getting a brother,” signs–and it’s not just one pic, it’s like four in a row of the box closed, then opening, then “surprise,” and I think–I just said, “hey, we’re having a baby.” Then I feel guilty.
We are doing a non-pinterest party this year too….going to a park, throwing a couple of balloons and a purple tablecloth out and having cupcakes/juice. Kids can play on the playground, adults can stand around. I don’t really care. Turning 3 is not supposed to be some high-level bday…keep the expectations low, I say!
@Kelley Statham I say you bring along some Ruffles and French onion dip as well. Nothing like a good, old fashioned Chip Fest. 🙂
Ha! Some birthdays are Pinterest worthy and some aren’t. Such is life right?
So so sooo great. I love it. It’s better for the world, trust me, that we are all not Type P (pinterest) personalities. Cause really, if everyone followed suit, then high school, college, marriage, and child-rearing will ALL be huge let-downs for our precious angels. Super post!
mustloveleftovers “Type P”!!! I love it!
……and a great time was had by all. Nothing I love better than a good birthday “experience.” It just brings out the kid in me. Well, that and about a zillion other things. Can’t wait for the next one.
G-man
@GMan There’s a reason why we found more Christmas gifts for you at FAO Schwarz than for either of our children. 😉
I have many memories of ruffled chips, onion dip, and pin the tail on the donkey. Just the experience of having my friends play at my house for the afternoon was the best memory of all. Great blog post!
@Robyn I still love to watch the VHS tape of my 9th birthday where we played Pin the Tail on the Donkey and some kind of game where we rolled potatoes with our noses. It was epic. Pinterest has NOTHING on Pam!
I loooooooooooooooooooooooooove pinterest!!!!! I have a million boards and pins and whatnot! And I have made it all!! My house is amazingly decorated, like the ones in the annoying blogs where they spend lots of money destroying rooms-closets-bathrooms-and-then-they-put-them-back-together and you won’t see any pictures of them with their kids … Like that…
Seriously though, I love pinterest because I’m a crafty kind of gal. I’m a graphic designer, and back in MX I had my own business designing birthday invitations, centerpieces and all that, so for my daughters first birthday, I made a pinata, her cake (I took cake decorating lessons, because baking is a passion of mine too), and it was great! I loved making all of her things. By her second birthday my mom had passed away, and I just didn’t FEEL like being crafty and original. We took Sofi to Chuck E. Cheese, and we loved it!! I know she’ll have lots of fun this year for her 3rd birthday, coz she’s a stinker who likes to be the center of attention, but we are still debating whether throwing her a party, or not. We’ll see, and if we do throw her one, I’ll be obnoxious enough to post a link here for you to see the pics, and I’ll even send JJ and Avery party favors, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand maybe you’ll hire me to design and make your next kids birthday party decorations, maybe? Just putting myself out there.
I wish I had both my parents not only to celebrate her birthdays, but to just spend time and have fun with her. You are very lucky Katie, and if I had only one wish, it will be to spend a day like yours with my parents and my family. Happy birthday JJ!
Elissa R Girl, you just made me laugh and tear up in one, single comment. Bless your heart! You’re so right that those moments we have with our parents are precious and should NEVER be taken for granted. Thank you for this reminder today. And thanks so much for reading! God bless!!!
Great post! Love it! Ruffles and French onion dip….’scuse me, have to run to the store. I feel a party comin’ on………. Dona
imklvr Throw in some Kool-Aid and it’s a real PAAAAAAAARTAY!