Every year, about this time, Sam becomes completely focused on his birthday. Since Stephen's birthday is coming up in two weeks, the issue is particularly acute. Today, when I picked Sam up from school, Sam had invited his new friend, Ty to Stephen's upcoming birthday party. It was a little awkward since Stephen isn't having a birthday "party."
Each year, one of our boys has a "friend party" and the other has a "family day." The "friend party" is the full deal...the friends, the balloons, the song, the kiddy place, the cake, the whole shebang.
Stephen had a friend party last year. So this year is his year for a "family day." On "family day" Stephen gets to pick wherever he wants to go with just his family. We go do something fun with him and then come home for his favorite dinner, cake, and ice cream. "Family day" allows us to do something really special that we might not choose to do with 15 other kids. We stole this tradition from my sister when we realized that our boys' birthdays were exactly 2 months apart. It seemed weird to invite the same people to a big blow-out party every two months. Honestly, the idea of two parties that close together seemed a little overwhelming. So we do it this way and we really like it.
Back to my akward moment today...I politely explained to Ty that Stephen wasn't having a party this year, but that Ty was welcome to come to our house and play anytime. The outrage among Sam's friends was immediate. "WHAT?!? NO BIRTHDAY PARTY?!?"
So I left school today with my head held high...forever labeled as the "mean, no birthday mommy."
Can't win 'em all...
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