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Jayden’s 4th Birthday And Letting Go Of Perfection

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I’m realizing more and more that sometimes, I just have to let go. For the past 3 years, I’ve stressed over Jayden’s birthday parties. Family parties. With no kids. I always wanted them to be special though. I always wanted to bake some fancy cake and provide a unique party spread. Last year, I stayed up all night long trying to decorate a dinosaur cake. The first cake stuck to the pan, so I had to bake another. By the time our guests arrived, I was putting the final touches on the cake. I was drained. I never edited the very few photos that I took from the party. I didn’t blog it or host the giveaway in conjunction with my dino-masterpiece. I still need to do that and I keep guilt-tripping myself. Bottom line, I became overwhelmed and I shut down. And that’s a recurring issue that I have and am no longer allowing to take over me. I’m giving myself a do over.

As Jayden’s 4th birthday approached, I angrily said that I wasn’t going to host a party because I didn’t want to be bothered with the planning, the cleaning, the cooking… sans sleep. I changed my mind and thought having the party at Fuddruckers would be fun, but that wasn’t very frugal. I moved the party to Greg’s grandmother’s house. I planned on grabbing a cake at the grocer and ordering catered food because there was no way I was going to be bothered with cooking anything. Anything. Well, that catered food was not in the budget, so I ended up frying up some chicken drumettes and fries an hour before the party (for freshness). We had grabbed a carton of ice cream, some italian ice, and bagged salad to go with… some cheap party decorations, including a plastic table cloth *gasp*, the day before and called it lazy party.

This party won’t end up on Pinterest, but it was the easiest party I planned to date. Jayden enjoyed it no less and that in itself made it a success. Oh and the food disappeared pretty quickly and I had most of the cupcakes to myself :-).

Jayden’s 4th Birthday Party on April 28th, 2012

The obligatory birthday cake video. Yea, I don’t like being sung to either.

These photos aren’t my best. I can’t stand having to shoot with my flash or kit lens, but I’m letting go of perfection.

[slickr-flickr tag=”jaydenturns4″ use_key=”y” items=”50″]
:: Can’t view the slideshow? Click here! ::

thomascake

Jayden’s Thomas birthday cake was provided by Walmart, so I didn’t have to spend hours in the kitchen crafting a cake. They also compensated me for trying out their custom cake bakery service as a voluntary participant in the Walmart Moms program. Can you believe that a cake so pretty was only $19? #winning! Oh and that was an opinion so you should know it is my own. Disclosure and all.

1stopmom

Saturday 19th of May 2012

I learned a long time ago I could not deal with doing all out birthday parties. It just got to be too much. As long as everyone had a good time and enjoyed themselves(including you), that is all that matters. I love his cake. It's hard to believe it was only $19!!

Dear Crissy

Sunday 13th of May 2012

I am totally with you on this. I just can't live up to the super-perfect party ideal, and that's OK.

Sheena

Monday 14th of May 2012

Maybe once life slows down (if it ever will), I'll be able to do something epic. Until then, *pffft*.

Linsey K

Saturday 12th of May 2012

That's the EXACT cake we want to get for Marcus when he turns 2 next month. So excited that it worked out for you. And letting go really makes you a more laid-back, stable mom. You're doing great :)

Sheena

Monday 14th of May 2012

When I was ordering the cake, a worker raved about how much her grandson loved it. Glad I chose it! :-)

Hilda Mills

Tuesday 8th of May 2012

What a great birthday celebration. No need to spend much as long as you know that the kids will really enjoy. And Oh! My son adores Thomas as well and he'll be envious towards Jayden if he sees that cake. ^^,

Onica {MommyFactor}

Monday 7th of May 2012

Oh what an fun and creative cake! Happy 4th to you son. My son's 4th is coming up soon and I dont plan on baking. At all :)

Sheena

Monday 14th of May 2012

Thanks! Whatever you choose to do, I'm sure he'll love it. Ahh, can't believe our boys are 4!

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