(Jonathan's 3rd Birthday 6-3-12)
The month of May begins our steady string of birthdays. And a question I am asked quite frequently is, "How do you celebrate birthdays in your large family?"
Since our older two girls were little, we knew we would not plan elaborate parties every year. And actually began our "method" back then...when we only had two. The only difference now is that with so many people in the family, it's always a party anyway.
Here's how we do it!
We decided that the BIG parties would be reserved for certain ages...5, 10, 13, 16, and 18. One, for sanity's sake, and two, for budget purposes. We chose 5...because they're big enough to enjoy/appreciate a real party, 10...the excitement of turning double digits, 13.....hello teen years, 16.....sweet sixteen, and 18....official adulthood.
A "big" party means inviting friends, having fun games and party favors, and pizza or a BBQ. But they also have the option of going to Chuck E Cheese or the like, but only inviting one or two friends. They always go for the party so they can invite more friends. Our summer birthday kids always choose a pool party. We have a nice clubhouse in our neighborhood that accommodates pool parties nicely. And since we pay association dues, we can use the clubhouse for free!
On the "in between" birthdays, we still want our kids to know how special they are, but we do it with just the family. Our tradition is that the birthday kid gets to choose what he or she wants to eat for breakfast and dinner. Meals made at home, but they pick their favorites! For lunch, the birthday kid gets to choose a place to go with just mom and dad! Inevitably, our little ones always pick Chick-fil-A, which is a win for the budget. Our older, smarter teens go for the real restaurants, which is a win for us since we don't go out often! ; )
(Celeste and Seth agreed to have dual parties since we had family in town...it was a packed house! 6/2011)
So as you can see, each year is special for our children. Even on the non-party years, the kids enjoy their day and know how thankful we are that they were created!
How do YOU celebrate birthdays in your family? What are your special traditions?
I think that every year sounds like a party year! It looks you've done a great job making your kids feel special on their birthdays.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anna! :)
DeleteSo glad you tackled this question. This is pretty much how we have decided to handle it too. Your cakes are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteLove this! Very similar to what we are planning on doing. We had pretty small first birthday parties for both kids and then my (almost) 4 year old will get his first real (big) party this summer. Love the special lunch with mom and dad idea! I'll have to remember that one for next year!
ReplyDeleteThe special lunch with mom and dad is what they look forward to most. And so do we! :)
DeleteI love your tips on celebrating birthdays with big families. So impressed you made those cakes! Awesome job! I really like the idea of a special meal out on your bday with mom and dad.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rebekah! :)
DeleteOur eldest are twins so they are used to having dual birthday parties. We are a family with 5 children and do it similiarly to you in that only certain ages get the bigger parties, but we do have a "birthday week", so that the birthday kid (or kids , in the twins' case) get a week of special little things from favorite breakfasts to getting to pick the family movie on movie night. (new reader, here!)
ReplyDeleteWelcome Katie! How fun...a birthday week! That sounds awesome! :)
Deleteyao20150323
ReplyDeletecoach outlet store online
hollister clothing
coach outlet online
tory burch outlet online
coach factory outlet
coach outlet store
asics running shoes
valentino shoes
kate spade outlet
instyler ionic styler
fitflops
tods shoes
herve leger dresses
tiffany and co
abercrombie and fitch
lululemon
louis vuitton outlet
true religion jeans
kate spade outlet
lululemon outlet
hollister uk
beats headphones
air jordan shoes
louis vuitton handbags
oakley sunglasses
polo ralph lauren outlet
cheap snapbacks
michael kors outlet online
kate spade handbags
christian louboutin
mlb jerseys
tods outlet
prada outlet
adidas wings
ghd hair straighteners
tory burch shoes
ReplyDeletenew york jets jerseys
prada sneakers
boston celtics jersey
bobby orr blackhawks jersey,jeremy roenick authentic jersey,jonathan toews blackhawks jersey,stan mikita blackhawks jersey,corey crawford blackhawks jersey,michael jordan jersey,michal handzus jersey,peter regin jersey
the north face
ugg boots
nike free run uk
michael kors handbags
the north face outlet
real madrid jersey
chanel handbags
air jordan shoes
christian louboutin uk
jeremy maclin jersey,jamaal charles jersey,joe montana jersey,justin houston jersey,dontari poe jersey,eric berry jersey
ralph lauren,ralph lauren uk,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren polo
ahmad bradshaw jersey,josh mcnary jersey,andrew luck jersey,donte moncrief jersey,delano howell jersey,robert mathis jersey,andrew luck jersey,trent richardson jersey
nike free
eric decker jersey,muhammad wilkerson jersey,michael vick jersey,geno smith jersey,dennis byrd jersey,jace amaro jersey,calvin pace jersey,curtis martin jersey,
north face jackets,north face,the north face,northface,north face outlet,north face jackets clearance,the north face
patriots jerseys
warriors jerseys
nike air max,nike roshe,nike huarache
swarovski crystal
kobe bryant shoes
san antonio spurs jerseys
canada goose jackets
los angeles lakers jerseys
kate spade sale
coach outlet
zhuweiming0626
chenlili20150629
ReplyDeleteburberry outlet
lululemon
lebron 10
oakley sunglasses wholesale
michael kors bags
jordan 4 retro
ray ban sunglasses
prada uk outlet
coach outlet store online
christian louboutin sale
michael kors handbags
ray ban aviators
jordan shoes
mont blanc pen
hollister kids
cheap beats by dre
true religion sale
prada sunglasses
abercrombie store
oakley vault
beats headphones
pandora bracelets
michael kors
ray ban sunglasses
hollister kids
ralph lauren outlet
gucci bags
abercrombie kids
true religion jeans
toms promo code
prepare indoor soccer shoes adidas kate spade outlet jordan release a nike air max 2014 ralph lauren australia adidas superstar north face outlet teen asics coach factory outlet store ugg australia nike factory store to louis vuitton puma north face ferragamo babysit prada shoes for men tommy hilfiger outlet coach outlet store louboutin shoes younger ray-ban sunglasses hollister polo ralph lauren outlet online converse sneakers kids. louis vuitton bags uggs outlet oakley uggs outlet In beats by dr dre oakley jordans ferragamo shoes the baseball jerseys adidas beats audio p90x workout schedule meantime, michael kors bcbg max vans michael kors I new balance louis vuitton outlet burberry hollisterco would replica watches michael kors outlet online ed hardy uggs outlet welcome celine handbags ralph lauren outlet online swarovski uk
ReplyDeletecoach outlet online,
ReplyDeleteburberry outlet online,
michael kors outlet online,
ralph lauren outlet online,
longchamp outlet online,
mcm outlet online,
oakley outlet online,
ugg boots sale,
coach outlet,
burberry outlet,
toms outlet online,
chanel outlet online,
oakley outlet,
coach handbags outlet,
michael kors handbags outlet,
mcm handbags outlet,
gucci handbags outlet,
burberry handbags outlet,
michael kors outlet,
burberry outlet,
nike outlet,
ralph lauren outlet,
ray banoutlet,
nike shoes outlet,
air huarache uk,
air max shoes outlet,
supra shoes outlet,
Toms shoes outlet,
coach bags outlet,
coach factory outlet,
michael kors usa,
nike air huarache
ugg boots outlet
polo outlet online
coach online outlet
nike outlet
polo outlet
michael kors outlet canada
mcm Backpack
michael kors outlet
tommy hilfiger outlet
gucci outlet
michael kors outlet, http://michaelkors.outletonlinestores.us.com/
ReplyDeleteprada handbags, http://www.pradahandbagsoutlet.co.uk/
michael kors wallet, http://www.michaelkorswallet.net/
ugg boots, http://www.uggbootsclearance.in.net/
ugg boots, http://www.uggbootscheap.eu.com/
chanel handbags, http://www.chanelhandbagsoutlet.in.net/
replica watches, http://www.replicawatchesforsale.us.com/
kobe bryant shoes, http://www.kobebryantshoes.in.net/
nba jerseys, http://www.nbajerseys.us.com/
tiffany jewellery, http://www.tiffanyjewelleryoutlets.co.uk/
soccer jerseys, http://www.soccerjerseys.us.com/
asics, http://www.asicsisrael.com/
michael kors handbags, http://www.michaelkorshandbags.in.net/
nike free 5, http://www.nikefree5.us/
oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakleysunglasses-outlet.us.com/
basketball shoes, http://www.basketballshoes.us.com/
ugg boots, http://www.uggsale.in.net/
canada goose outlet, http://www.canadagoose.us.org/
ralph lauren, http://www.poloralphlaurenoutlet.it/
rolex watches uk, http://www.rolexwatches-uk.co.uk/
true religion jeans, http://www.truereligionjeansoutlet.com/
jordan shoes, http://www.jordan-shoes.us.com/
longchamp handbags, http://www.longchamphandbag.us.com/
chanel handbags, http://www.chanelhandbags-outlet.co.uk/
christian louboutin online, http://www.christianlouboutinonline.us.com/
1008maoqiuyun
2015-10-26 zhengjx
ReplyDeleteadidas originals
nike air force 1
prada
north face uk
pandora
air jordans
insanity workout
louboutin
http://www.CoachOutletOnlineSpick.org
nike elite socks
tommy hilfiger outlet
cheap uggs
nike huarache
ralph lauren pas cher
christian louboutin shoes
http://www.Top-CoachOutletStore.org
nike free runs
kate spade
ghd hair straighteners
nike roshe runs
kobe bryant shoes
http://www.michaelkorswalletsale.org
abercrombie
vans shoes
nike blazer
swarov ski jewelry
ugg boots
air force 1
kevin durant shoes
nike free run
true religion jeans
gucci
cheap uggs boots
ray ban sunglasses
fitflop uk
hollister co
michael kors outlet online
sac longchamp pliage
air max 90
juicy couture
ninest123 12.14
ReplyDeletetory burch outlet, christian louboutin, louboutin uk, uggs on sale, nike free, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet, longchamp outlet, uggs on sale, nike outlet, louis vuitton handbags, nike air max, louis vuitton outlet online, michael kors handbags, longchamp outlet, michael kors, ralph lauren polo, ralph lauren outlet, replica watches, louis vuitton outlet, uggs on sale, oakley sunglasses, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton, cheap jordans, tiffany jewelry, ray ban sunglasses, uggs outlet, gucci handbags, cheap oakley sunglasses, tiffany jewelry, nike air max, ray ban sunglasses, longchamp bags, prada handbags, prada outlet, burberry factory outlet, michael kors outlet online, oakley sunglasses, burberry outlet, ray ban sunglasses, christian louboutin, replica watches, michael kors outlet online, uggs outlet, louboutin shoes, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet
nike free pas cher, jordan pas cher, timberland pas cher, coach outlet store online, ray ban uk, nike roshe run pas cher, true religion outlet, michael kors uk, new balance, nike air max uk, sac guess pas cher, replica handbags, true religion outlet, nike air max, nike roshe uk, michael kors outlet online, vanessa bruno pas cher, hollister uk, north face pas cher, lunette ray ban pas cher, north face uk, polo ralph lauren uk, abercrombie and fitch, coach purses, nike free, mulberry uk, true religion outlet, longchamp pas cher, nike air max uk, converse, michael kors, nike blazer pas cher, burberry pas cher, longchamp soldes, ralph lauren pas cher, vans pas cher, hermes pas cher, nike air max pas cher, nike air force, true religion jeans, hogan sito ufficiale, polo lacoste pas cher, lululemon outlet, lunette oakley pas cher, nike trainers uk, louboutin pas cher, abercrombie and fitch UK, nike tn pas cher, michael kors
ReplyDeletevans scarpe, mont blanc, reebok outlet, celine handbags, chi flat iron, iphone 5s cases, polo ralph lauren, iphone cases, herve leger, north face outlet, gucci, lululemon outlet, wedding dresses, valentino shoes, louboutin, vans outlet, hollister clothing, instyler ionic styler, soccer shoes, mcm handbags, hollister, nfl jerseys, soccer jerseys, insanity workout, iphone 6 cases, bottega veneta, nike air max, north face outlet, abercrombie and fitch, ray ban, giuseppe zanotti, jimmy choo outlet, mac cosmetics, softball bats, converse, new balance shoes, nike air max, oakley, nike roshe run, iphone 6s plus cases, beats by dre, s6 cases, hermes handbags, asics running shoes, ghd hair, iphone 6s cases, timberland boots, iphone 6 plus cases, ipad cases, babyliss pro, p90x workout, salvatore ferragamo
ReplyDeletejuicy couture outlet, marc jacobs, moncler, moncler outlet, ugg uk, louis vuitton uk, louis vuitton, moncler, canada goose, coach outlet, moncler, pandora jewelry, canada goose, doke & gabbana, moncler, thomas sabo uk, canada goose pas cher, canada goose jackets, hollister, moncler uk, canada goose outlet, bottes ugg pas cher, ugg pas cher, sac louis vuitton, moncler jackets, barbour, canada goose outlet, canada goose uk, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, karen millen uk, montre pas cher, supra shoes, swarovski uk, wedding dresses uk, lancel, sac louis vuitton, toms shoes, juicy couture outlet, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, pandora jewelry, links of london uk, pandora uk, louis vuitton, canada goose jackets, replica watches, converse shoes outlet, moncler pas cher, barbour jackets uk, pandora charms, swarovski jewelry
ReplyDeleteninest123 12.14
bottega veneta outlet online
ReplyDeleteburberry outlet
cheap toms
polo ralph lauren outlet
coach outlet store online,coach outlet store,coach outlet
nba jerseys wholesale
moncler outlet
ugg boots clearance
valentino shoes
michael kors factory sale
rolex watches
kobe bryants shoes 2015
mont blanc
true religion jeans,cheap true religion jeans,true religion jeans wholesale,true religion outlet,true religion sale,true religion outlet online
ray-ban sunglasses
ysl outlet online
louis vuitton outlet
lebron james shoes,lebron 12,lebron 12 shoes,lebron sneakers,lebron iv,lebron 11,lebron 10
hermes outlet online
cheap oakley sunglasses
celine outlet
cleveland cavaliers
football shirts uk,soccer jerseys uk,cheap soccer jerseys uk
ferragamo shoes
pandora charms
ralph lauren,ralph lauren uk,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren outlet online,polo ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren polo
omega watches
michael kors uk outlet
burberry outlet
christian louboutin
chenlina20160219
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton outlet
coach outlet store online
toms shoes
chanel handbags
louis vuitton handbags
gucci handbags
coach outlet
michael kors outlet
ray ban sunglasses
hollister clothing
lebron 11
polo outlet
timberland outlet
kate spade handbags
north face outlet
cheap jordan shoes
louis vuitton
coach factory outlet
abercrombie outlet
jordans for sale
christian louboutin outlet
ugg boots
michael kors outlet online
tod's shoes
michael kors handbags
instyler max
mulberry handbags
the north face
ugg outlet
toms outlet
chanel bags
jordan retro
michael kors handbags
louboutin pas cher
cheap air max
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
air max 90
cheap oakley sunglasses
jordan 11 concord
as
TEN
ReplyDelete0505
ray ban sunglasses sale
burberry outlet
ralph lauren polo
herve leger dresses
tiffany jewellery
nike air max 90
ferragamo shoes
mont blanc pens
futbol baratas
tory burch outlet online
chaussure louboutin
louis vuitton outlet
christian louboutin shoes
fitflops sale
oakley sunglasses
adidas outlet store
swarovski crystal
michael kors handbags clearance
tiffany and co jewelry
cheap jordan shoes
nba jerseys
tiffany outlet
rolex watches
rolex watches
louis vuitton handbags outlet
michael kors outlet online
beats by dre
mulberry outlet
police sunglasses for men
ray ban sunglasses
mulberry outlet store
ralph lauren,polo ralph lauren,ralph lauren outlet,ralph lauren italia,ralph lauren sito ufficiale
ralph lauren uk
michael kors clearance
chenlina20160516
ReplyDeletelouis vuitton outlet
coach outlet
toms shoes
michael kors outlet store
louis vuitton
cheap nfl jerseys
cheap ray ban sunglasses
replica watches
coach outlet store online
michael kors outlet
coach factory outlet
oakley sunglasses
louis vuitton bags
kate spade
louis vuitton outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
nike uk
lebron 11
true religion outlet
louis vuitton bags
ray ban sunglasses
nike air max 90
jordan 8
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet
lebron shoes
michael kors
louis vuitton outlet
michael kors outlet
coach outlet store online
ray ban outlet
michael kors outlet
michael kors purses
tory burch handbags
adidas shoes
lebron james shoes 13
michael kors uk
coach factory outlet
true religion outlet
jordan 3
as
tiffany online
ReplyDeletefitflops
michael kors handbags
oakley vault
louboutin shoes uk
michael kors handbags outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
kobe basketball shoes
ray ban sunglasses outlet
http://www.michaeljordanshoes.us.com
kobe byrant shoes
yeezy boost 350
michael kors handbags clearance
michael kors outlet online
http://www.cheapauthenticjordans.us.com
cheap ralph lauren
adidas tubular
adidas nmd
ray ban sunglasses
tiffany and co
tiffany jewelry
air jordan
mlb jerseys authentic
tiffany,tiffany and co,tiffany and co jewelry,tiffany necklace,tiffany bracelet,tiffany ring,tiffany earrings
air jordan shoes
christian louboutin outlet
tiffany and co outlet
nike zoom kobe
ugg boots uk
nike polo shirts
http://www.raybanglasses.in.net
nike zoom running shoe
yeezy boost 350
nfl jerseys
oakley store online
gg
ray ban wayfarer
ReplyDeleteoakley vault
cheap jordan shoes
converse sneakers
adidas nmd
burberry handbags outlet
ralph lauren polo
oakley vault
the north face outlet
supra footwear
hzx20170307
ghd hair straighteners
ReplyDeleteed hardy clothing
fit flops
ralph lauren outlet
cheap mlb jerseys
polo ralph lauren outlet
nike outlet
michael kors
christian louboutin
pandora outlet
0508shizhong