Last updated on October 1st, 2023 at 04:06 pm
Each summer, we head back to America to the family home. Extended family and immediate family gather together to catch up and celebrate a special time for us, the kids birthdays. As much as it is for the kids, we have about ten other family members’ birthdays the very same week. So while we may put out the decorations and games for the little ones we celebrate numerous birthdays at one time.
This is one of my favorite days to look forward to each year when we visit. I love catching up and seeing as much family as I possibly can. I really feel so grateful for the fun, loving family I am apart. They are constantly joining in the games and fun with the kids. There is laughter surrounding us the entire time. No matter what’s going on in my life or theirs we can come together and share such a special celebration each year. It has really opened my eyes to be an even happier, content person and stop making life so busy and rushed. The more we rush and not stop and enjoy family the more we really are missing out.
We went for a Paw Patrol birthday theme as the kids are absolutely obsessed with it. My mother went above and beyond her amazing creative skills and make a two tier Paw Patrol birthday cake that the kids literally squealed at when they saw it as much as I did. She is one talented lady. It was the perfect weather for swimming and outdoor family games too. My family is competitive and it wouldn’t be a party without a few races, games, and competitions for us to do for kids and adults. I think when the adults get involved in kids games it’s the funniest thing ever. The sacks are usually too small for adults so there is pushing, tripping and falling over before the finish line. The spoons are usually tiny enough to put your thumb on the egg and then it just turns into who can run the fastest. That’s cheating of course but rules go out the window when adults play games. At the end of the day, I have aching abs from laughing so hard. It really is an all around fun day for us, each year.
I don’t go all out for birthdays in terms of decorations or presents. I think it’s more about the people you share it with and the fun time you create together. We got a little Paw Patrol party kit from the dollar store that had balloons, napkins, cups and plates. We used this as our decorations and used the cake as the main focus. The rest was outdoor family games we had around the house or ones we made up along the way with ribbon for a start and finish line. It just takes a little creativity and imagination to make a party look the part and the kids will love it with or without decorations, as I have learned over the years.
My little ones turned 3 and 5 years old this summer. I don’t know how it went so fast or how we got here already. I truly feel like I was just bringing MM home from the hospital to meet her older brother. Now, I am applying for schools for MM and B has just started Year One. Life seems to be on fast forward the older they get. These little parties and family gatherings are meaning more and more each year. I know their little time at home growing up is short and precious and I am trying to soak that in as much as possible.
This time last year, I was all about as many classes I could get them into. Busy schedules and making routines. Literally planning every moment of our family life and work life. This summer, I think really changed me and the way I feel about life in general. There will changes coming soon here and with us as a family. I am so excited for them. I hope these changes enable us to make the most of our time while the kids are young and still at home. That we make the best memories together however small or big they may be.
We ended the party with goodbyes to family members we won’t see until the next birthday party, reunion next year. It’s always hard to say goodbye but excited to come back and do it all over again, year after year. I hope the kids love coming back to my home and seeing all their extended family from the states each year. I hope they grow up with amazing family memories from both countries, both sides of the family and both cultures.
FOUR GENERATION PHOTO (below)
Happy Birthday B and MM! Mommy loves you both so very much. xoxo
It is my little girl’s seventh birthday today. She had a pony party 🙂 I can’t understand where the time has gone and yet she has been in my life forever xx This parenting lark is a funny thing!
Oh I know what you mean, with the kids both turning 3/5 years old this summer it seems like a lifetime ago I had them and yet they are only 3 and 5 now. Somedays I look at them and think how old they look and other times I catch a glimpse of them still looking so young.
That Paw Patrol cake is just amazing!! Wow, O would love it. xxx
I know I tell my mom I have an idea and I swear she always takes it one step bigger, better and more amazing then I envisioned. She is talented like that. I only wish I had half of it. hahaha
Your mum MADE that cake? It’s amazing!! (And I’m so sick of Paw Patrol right now, think they watched it every day during the summer holidays!)
Yes she is creative like that. It never seizes to amaze me what she can make or come up with. I swear she was a party planner in her past life. She did my entire wedding bless her. Yes, I think I sing Paw Patrol theme song in my sleep. Eeer
That is one amazing looking cake! We did a birthday party with a Paw Patrol theme as well, kids are going nuts about it at the moment aren’t they 😀
Thank you so much it’s so awesome. My mom created my vision perfectly. She is so talented. It’s very popular for sure.
I tried to create a Paw Patrol birthday for my 6 year old boy, it didn’t turn out so well we had a vomitting bug which took him down on his birthday and we had to cancel the family bbq. I feel so disappointed for him although he seems fine with just having the presents! I feel like a want to try again and throw him another party. Love him. Your mum is amazing, what a great party. Such precious time and I agree with you it gets more precious the less time we have with them. My littles are in Year 1 and starting school next year too. Lizzie xo