We (actually, Mark and Bjorn) spent a good part of the weekend clearing out the computer room to make room upstairs for a nursery again. We now have both computers in the basement and the room is empty except for my non-maternity clothes and a massive filing cabinet. Both will have to move before too long, but the bulk of the work is done.They also got the crib out of the attic. It all looks so small seeing it again. I need to get out and find a rug for the room though. With Andy, the room still had wall-to-wall carpeting, but it was old to start with and pretty nasty by the end of it all. So when when we switched Andy's into a bigger room, we exposed the hardwood floors. They're in good shape, but I think something warmer on my feet would be good for all the late nights and early mornings in winter.
As you can see, we still have to put the crib et al together, but at least we have the space to do it. Plus, unlike last time, the crib is in six big pieces and not 30 little ones so it should be easier to put back together.
We went to a birthday party at a place today in Manassas called Pump It Up that is a huge indoor moon bounce with slides. The kids liked it, even Andy who is afraid of moonbounces got it and jumped around a little bit. The odd thing was that they made us sign a waiver saying we wouldn't sue if we got hurt. Then as you approach the room, there are signs saying by entering, I understand they are not liable if I or my dependents get hurt. They even have a training video to watch so you understand what you're getting yourself into. I know America is litigious, but wow, this was pretty over the top, it seems.
We've been on a birthday party circuit the last few weeks. So much so that Andy is now asking about his birthday party (he has asked both me and Bjorn if we can come). This is posing a bit of a dilemma for me. We haven't really done a party for him in the past, but he'll be three and this year he knows not only how old he is, but how birthday parties work. So I feel like I really have to throw him some kind of a party, but on January 11, I'm going to be 9 months pregnant and most likely uninterested in a huge party. I've been thinking about just inviting 4-5 friends with kids Andy knows over for a small party so he can do cake and celebrate, but where do I draw the line? In January, it will be winter so inviting five families means at least one adult and one kid, possibly more. Then adding in some family it will easily get to be 20 people. So much for a small party. Thoughts? Tips? Drug suggestions?
Hey! I have always subscribed to the "number of guests = number of years old". This way you can set a standard and keep to it over the next years. The boys have been to many parties where the host has invited everyone in the class and it is CRAZY! They have never asked to do this, as they know what the rule is. Also, after this year, you can bet that the parents are more than happy to drop and run to use the 1.5 - 2 hours to do whatever they want to before picking up - - so you won't need to worry about adults. There is a good web-site (birthdayexpress.com) that puts the birthday in a box theme to good use. I usually let the kids get on and surf until they find the theme that they want. Birthdayexpress puts it all together (including fairly cool goody boxes) and all you need to add is cake and a few games. For three year olds, you can keep it really simple. They only care about getting some friends together and singing happy birthday. For Henry and George I used a little tape done by "Greg and Steve" called Kids in Motion. You can get it on Amazon. It's got a lot of cute songs that they can move along to -- the tape provides all the instructions - - it's really great! Actually, Henry at age 9 still loves to do some of these like the freeze song and walk like the animals. At 9 months pregnant, I might suggest enlisting Jennifer or Mark (even Bjorn) to jump around to the songs - - unless you are really sick of being pregnant at that point and think it might help speed things up!
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Wendy
Good advice! I'm totally doing that.
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