Nana, thanks, she was very appreciative. Punk, I actually should have said vintage, I bought the napkin rings decades ago. F2BH, I had to go to several different DT stores as I found the B-day glasses, but the 1st store only had one of that pattern, and I didn't like the other pattern as well. So it took about 4 stores to find all 4 the same. Marlene, that pie is a favorite of hers and when we got to the restaurant, they did not have one in the case. I explained why I "needed" it and they found one in the back, fresh out of the oven!! Jeanne, I thought the plates were so pretty and eye-catching, I bought 8 of them. I plan to use them in our retirement home. Missy, thank you. Kathe, sorry, but it was a very small pie! LOL Maybe we can go to lunch sometime and have a piece for dessert. Thanks again everybody, Candy

Lets not forget that vacations are also much more liberal there too. My husband is from Europe and when he came here to live, he was shocked to see that we only get an average of 2 weeks vacation. In Russia, the minimum was 4 weeks and in Sweden they get 5! I would say do what's right for you and your family first. If DH can (and wants) to go on his own during his business trip, great but if not, then that is a huge amount of money to spend for one night and a lot for your in-laws to expect from you and your husband. After all, MIL wasn't willing to pay for it once she saw how much it cost, why should she expect you to? It's not reasonable. I have to add that last January, my mother also turned 80 and also wanted all the family together for her special day. She's in California so a lot closer but we're in Michigan and I have a sister in Texas. Rather than put any of us on the spot, she paid for all of us (7 total) to fly to California to celebrate her day. On her 75th birthday, we missed a surprise party the sisters in California gave her. Once I said we couldn't afford it, she was very understanding, more so than my sisters were. :c) So I've sort of been in those shoes and can totally understand the duress you're feeling; I hope it ends well and they finally understand your side of things. If not, ask them if they'd be willing to split the bill with you so you can afford to go. When I said that to one of my sisters, she backed off fairly quick. :c)

I'd suggest having it at home also. Once you get started on these toddler parties, you end up being invited to every one and you have to buy a present too. It gets expensive very quickly. Could you possibly temporarily remove furniture from maybe the living room, dining room or child's bedroom to make more room? I think an indoor camping theme might be fun (without the sleepover). You could make tents out of sheets and blankets and have the kids play in there. Any other theme you might have going, like bugs or Elmo could be worked into it too. You could have hot chocolate and other appropriate foods. Fake foliage and stuffed animals could be used to dress up the area. I'm suggesting this because someone gave my two boys a play tent for Christmas and they love it. They'll take toys in there sometimes and play instead of running around the house. Have fun with whatever you do.

Kathyg in mi, now that sounds like MY kind of 'baking'. Good idea!!!!!!