Conference moira::parenting_v3

re :                        <<< Note 1303.0 by SONATA::POND >>>
                      -< Grammy's B'Day -- Party Ideas? >-

>			I'm not sure whether this is a function of age or
>    personality, but they definately prefer an adult cocktail party to a
>    night of kiddie videos and popcorn.  
    
>    If we have a small "party" and invite our older friends, the kids will
>    be bored.  If we invite families we know who also have children, my
>    in-laws won't be able to stand the din.  We could leave the kids with a
>    sitter 
    
>    I'd also like the kids to participate *somehow* in Grammy's
>     birthday.  
    
    Lois,

    here's one idea, but I'm not sure how much room you have or if it would
    work........

    since your in-laws seem to prefer an "adult cocktail party", what if
    you hired a sitter in for a few hours in the late afternoon/early
    evening - 
       the sitter could (1) play with the kids at home if you have a
		separate area where they could be less intrusive - watch
		videos, have popcorn, play games.....
			(2) have a few of your friends' children join
		with yours so they have more to "do"
			(3) depending on the weather/age of sitter, take
		the kids outside/to the park or some other neighborhood
		area to play for awhile.
	it might also be an idea to have the sitter stay at one of your
		friend's homes with their kid(s) and yours - "share"
		the sitter for a few hours.
	in the early evening, after In-laws and friends have had their
		"social hour", have the kids join for Grammy's birthday
		dinner and cake/icecream, etc..  You could even have
		the sitter stay on to help out with the kids if you
		were to have more than just your own two and set them
		up at a separate table.
	when dinner/cake/icecream is over, have the sitter help bathe
		the kids and get them ready for bed and then the sitter
		is off for the night and the kids can visit with in-laws
		til bedtime.
		    

just an idea,
Debbi J

    Instead of a no-kids dinner, how about a family brunch?  Lots
    of places set up a special brunch on Easter Sunday and you'll
    find a good mix of tables with and without children.  You can
    get dressed up to make it more special and you can have what
    you want, even bloody mary's at some places, and the kids can
    eat what they want.  Your in-laws may appreciate that it's early
    in the day.  I know at that age, my grandparents preferred going
    out during the day than at night.
    
    Conni
    
    Oh yeah, if you want to do this, make reservations well in advance,
    most places book up pretty quickly.

    
    What about having an early dinner, with cake and ice cream for 
    dessert, then bring the kids to a sitter, and invite some adults
    for a small cocktail party...?
    
    Let us know what you do....
    
    Chris
    

Well if this was me I would have a family birthday party and include both
children !  After all they do live in Pittsburgh and your children are only
young once..  

So if it were me I would just have the family and no sitter !  

Just my thought.

Sandy

    What my husband and I have agreed on and will probably do is as
    follows:
    
    	We will probably take my mother-in-law out to dinner Saturday night
    	invite some folks that they like.  This will be adults only; the 
    	kids will be home with a sitter.  
    
    	I'll make Easter dinner (family only) the next day and have
    	a birthday cake for dessert.  The will be my M-I-L's actual
    	birthday.
    
    This way we can celebrate with adults (which will make my in-laws
    happy) and still include the kids the next day.  And Saturday night we
    won't have to fight the restaurant crowds that can occur on a holiday
    like Easter.
    
    Thanks for your suggestions!
    Lois
    

    Lois, 
    
    Your solution is interesting.  As I read this I remembered that several
    times my mother's birthday fell on Easter, or Easter weekend.  We
    always had a big dinner, just the immediate family.  After dinner all
    of our relatives-aunts, uncles, cousins, would stop by and we would
    have a birthday cake for mom.  It was a definite separation of birthday
    from holiday.  It is a pleasant memory now.
    
    Lyn