One down, seventeen to go...

I dislike birthday parties. I love my kids, but I dislike birthday parties. I don't like planning them, I don't like hosting them, and I REALLY don't like cleaning up after them. But Finn is ONE, and he deserved a party. So he got one. :) He behaved, and sat there looking cute while the world revolved around him. He stuffed his face, and flirted SHAMELESSLY. It was much like any other day, but with cake. Well, a cupcake cake. I outsourced on the cake, one last thing I had to do! I could have made it better, but that's just between you and I...

I don't get these "super parties" for little kids. I didn't take him and 50 of his closest friends on some epic adventure. He doesn't HAVE 50 friends. He doesn't even know 50 PEOPLE. You know what the worst part is, though? I actually felt like I let him down because we didn't do more. When did a quiet family party at home with cake, presents, and a hearty corus of "Happy Birthday" become somehow... Lacking? Especially for a one year old?!? Just goes to show you how pervasive consumerism has become. I'm starting a "Bring Simplicity Back" movement. I think it's closely related to my ongoing "De-Stigmatize Laziness" movement, but with slightly more work... Simplicity is attractive to the lazy. Doing less equals, well, less to do.

I think when the kids get old enough that their social status is closely tied into how their last birthday party went down, I'll just outsource the whole shebang and attend as a guest.

Start saving now, hubby.