Jessica, that is NOT "Bulldog". That would be "Pitbull". And I earned that through years of being a complete and total b*tch, so I wear the designation proudly. I AM "The Pitbull". When I'm not busy being "Empress of the Universe". As for the devilled eggs, you ever see what happens when you let a kid under 5 touch a devilled egg? It's not pretty, and so the "egg pictures" were redacted. LOL It sure is hard to believe that my little sweetheart is three, isn't it? Thankfully, she'll still sit on my lap with her arms around my neck and sing "I love you, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck". She's gonna stop that soon, isn't she? Sigh. Bud doesn't like kisses, he cries. San, if you are out there, Makayla sends special "tisses" for you. Annie

Lyban, That is so sweet of you to ask! Yes, we had the party. And, we had a lot of panic, too. : ) The RSVPs inched up past 120. By that point I had engaged 4 lifeguards, 2 valet people, 2 cleaning people, and chef. So I was not too worried. Then we had monsoon season. The ground was wet and soggy, and more rain threatened. One chance I could not take was 120+ wet/muddy people looking for shelter from thunderstorms! So, I moved the party back one day. The weather was perfect. The crowd thinned down to about 90 with the change of date. We had a fantastic time. The kids really love the kayak races and the fishing, and some of the little siblings were very into our koi! There was no need for a porta potty, btw, and only a few adults wondered in and used a house bathroom. I kept the menu very simple, but the food was delicious and fresh made and everyone enjoyed it. I dissuaded people from bringing anything but we did a get a few desserts, which were polished off handily. I rounded it out with a stash of cookies.

I'll second, third? Lisa and Sov. Six years old is too young to teach a charity lesson at birthday time IMO. Their birthdays are about silly fun with their friends. Lisa's statement in regards to gifts (optional but please be sure to bring yourself blah blah) is as far as I would go. As the mother of a small child who has too much, I use these experiences to teach the gift of giving. The joy of finding a special toy (and a matchbox might be all that is for some but it's still special to a six year old) is a lesson I don't get to give very often so I really take advantage of it (our son is 4 and not yet in school). At 8 or 9 plus it's a fun idea to discuss giving a party for charity, but only as an idea for the child...you know when they're ready for this or if they ever are :) I bitterly remember the birthday where my father taught me about charity. I opened all the gifts and then they were given to the "less fortunate" (I had no idea who those people were because we didn't learn that lesson). It was really more about control (now that I look back on it) verses a lesson in charity, but to a small child...do they really know the difference? I think we often forget the "joy of giving" and focus on the receiving too much :) So I get where you're coming from, but for a child of six...it's a party :) Let them enjoy it as a six year old should. Goody bags aren't a tradition in our area of the country. But I think the cookie and balloon sounds great. Great for table decor and enjoyable for the kids to take home. Or you could go with a matchbox given the theme of the party (those cheap ones). I don't mind cheap crap...it makes DS smile. The fact that he does not know the difference between a one dollar car and a twenty dollar one actually pleases me. And I don't mind the matchbox's anyhoo...at least they're metal :) My DS is afraid of birthday cake (or was until this year when he's braved the frosting) so I guess we're not overly birthday focused, but he has enjoyed the parties he's gone to as long as we avoid the cake. I don't remember getting any party bags...wait maybe one, but perhaps that is just our circle of friends. I don't think a lecture on how to throw a party is necessary :) Family, friends, it does not matter. Kids should have special birthdays be it with their school friends or family or both. Special does not have to mean much. We had our favorite couple over with their two kids for DS's 4th. Then we repeated a simple dinner with grandma the next week (we were moving to her state). He enjoyed both parties immensely and both were quite simple. DS would love to attend by the way....do you allow 4 year olds? I promise to limit the plastic LOL

Happy Birthday (today, right?) IdaClaire and Happy Belated Birthday My3dogs! So many August birthdays. (mine was earlier in the month too. a quiet Leo here). Covid definitely changed things. We did go out to dinner (outside dining) the night before, and grands came by for an outside (and garage when it started raining) visit and I did get the song with a candle to blow out. DD2 across the country called....My sister and bil always call with an operatic version of HBD, even if we in normal times do get together there is always the phone call. Usually that's the extent of the birthday celebration ( well, not the outside visiting). For one milestone I had maybe a total of 10 if that join us at a restaurant. DH has a milestone birthday next month. In normal times I am not sure if we would do much more other than a good trip, but now I suspect it's just going to be a very low key day - but to me, as long as we can sing HBD and blow out a candle or two, it's all good.