The Hostess With The Mostest

I don't know if you can tell, but I've changed the way I title my blogs. I used to use quotes from Glee or songs, usually aiming for things that had nothing to do with what I was writing about; just what I found funny or what I was listening to at the moment I started writing. Now I'm using whatever pops into my head about what I'm about to write. Not sure if I'll keep it this way. 2011 has some really strange and silly titles, and I may start missing that after a while ... hmm.

Anyways. After throwing Ben's surprise 30th birthday party in November (the planning stages of which had begun in June...) I swore to him that I'm never throwing him a surprise party again. Or maybe it was I would never throw another party. But either way, it was the stress of trying to make things go off without a hitch that navigated me into the anti-party lands. And yet, here we are in January and I am in the midst of trying to throw together a 1st birthday party for the twins. The stress level is hovering around 85, threatening to rise with each passing day. Could this be because I waited until after Christmas to even think about their party? One month plan time is horrific when compared to 4 1/2 months. Even if I don't have to worry about "ruining" it by talking about it in front of them. Luckily, things seem to be coming together pretty quickly. We're re-using the Winnie the Pooh theme from the baby shower and room decor.

We're using the Kids of the Kingdom big room at the church, since the hall we'd rented for Ben's party was already booked for that day. Most of the decorations have already been purchased by my mum. She's also getting the cakes. We've decided on pizza and chips (simple fare) for the meal, and I'm hoping for a relaxed atmosphere. Quiet, simple, relaxed ... with a ton of kids running around. I've never hosted a kid's party before, but I'm sure it's going to be crazy. Wooo.

The one thing I'm trying to figure out (since the rest is decided if not already taken care of) is favors. I don't want to do something that winds up breaking the budget, especially since Ben and I are focusing on tightening belts and cutting spending this year. My friend Missy suggested candies, and I think that's the way I'm going to go. For her husband's party, she'd put out a basket of mini reeses, since those are his favorite. I may do mini packs of M & Ms and glue on these little cardboard confetti things Mum purchased.

I'm still not sure. But worst case, at least I've got an idea that will work. The main stressor right now is people. The room holds 60 max (or at least that's what I was told). I know that not everyone you invite comes to the party. So I sent out the invites with the hope that some people would say no. Because in total, with adults and kids, we've got 93 people invited. 25 have said yes. 4 have said no. I don't think I'm going to stop stressing about it until 29 more people say no. And if enough say they can't come (with enough time before hand) I have a couple more people I'd like to invite. Eventually it just became "I have to draw the line somewhere." And now I just have to take a few breaths and know that in the end everything will be ok.

This may wind up being the "last party I throw for the boys" too .... (as if a Mama could refuse her kids a birthday party)