Simple Celebrations - Second birthday party ideas

My baby is turning two in just a few days and his birthday party is sneaking up real quick.In my mind, my kids need to have the BEST party with lots of friends and activities and presents and cake and just a whole wack of Pinterest perfect stuff going on. In my husband's mind, it's more like get a cake and buy him a bouncy ball from those 25cent machines at the mall (do those even still exist?)So, fights happen...Over the 4 years, I've been a mom and the 5 parties I have orchestrated there are a few things that I want to remind myself of while I'm getting ready for party 6 and maybe you need to hear them too.Before I start, raise your hand if you remember your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th birthday.I'll wait..Yeah, I don't remember them either.This blurry picture was like 8 or 9 years ago and I don't even remember that birthday (but I do remember loving that shirt...)I believe it is important to celebrate milestones in our kid's lives but it's equally important to remember the type of milestone we are actually celebrating. Those first 4 birthdays (and probably many after) are a ton more exciting and memorable for you as a parent than for the actual person you are supposed to be celebrating. All the kid wants is some cake and a balloon that they can play with while your blood pressure slowly rises. They really don't care if you order a four-tiered cake (yup, did that) or have matching decorations (also guilty) and invite people that you actually don't really like (yup, it's getting real now)So if you take anyway nothing from this post or you just want to stop reading because you think I am crazy just hear this - your kid will remember you and your actions around their birthday a zillion times more then they will actually remember if you folded the napkins like little lightsabers (ok, I'm done confessing now).Here are five things we all need to remember when it comes to kids and their birthdays;People just want your money so stop getting sucked in and throwing it at useless things.Example: I literally walked the aisles of Bulk Barn yesterday looking for an airplane pinata because I thought my two year old would like to beat something for candy. Although this is probably extremely true lets think this through - the hanging object ($45), sugar-filled madness to insert into this hanging object ($30), stick to beat hanging object ($10) and the years that would be taken off my life while watching some kids beat hanging object in my home (invaluable). Is that worth the almost $100 and years off my life? No, the answer is no.Buy a present that will actually be used and not end up in the garbage 1 week later (or don't buy them anything at all?)I mean do I need to say more? Give your kids experiences and opportunities to create and give back and build connections with others, not just more stuff that eventually ends up broken, at the thrift store or in the garbage. This is THE hardest one for me but I'm pushing through.Make your own cakeHi, my name is Bhreagh and I have literally spent too much money on cakes (see below). Recently I have started making just simple cupcakes or a cake for my kids for two reasons; 1) its cake and it gets eaten so who cares and 2) When they are all grown, I really want my kids to say "remember that horrible airplane cake mom made for my 2 birthday?" and it be a funny and precious memory.  And bonus - Pinterest fails are amazing!Actually cake I got for Mavericks first birthday...I know...let's just forget that happened.Build connections & community through the gatheringsMy husband and I are total introverts and sometimes have a hard time reaching out to new people or friends in our personal lives so birthday parties are a great excuse to invite that new family over to your house and not have to entertain or have an awkward conversation about the weather. We were made to live and function in community. So make your kids party a family affair! They will have way more fun if you are actually having fun too.Put the camera down and enjoy the moments!Friends, there are some moments that are just too precious to see through the screen of your phone. Yeah, you may not get any good pictures or the only pictures you have may be taken by family members who end up having more accidental selfies then actually pictures...I have NEVER regretted not getting a good picture but I have regretted not experiencing things with my kids instead of through my phone.So throw on the BBQ (or order some Hot n Ready pizzas), grab a few balloons (or don't because they are stressful), invite a few friends and their kids over and actually focus on what you should be focusing on - that precious little human that you have managed to keep alive and not strangle for another year.Whether they know it or not, all your kids really want is you, just you momma! A happy and stress-free and fully present mom ready to celebrate their fearfully and wonderfully made little lives.So here's to the airplane cake that looks like a one year old's smash cake  (currently sitting on my stove), a few paper airplanes to hang from the ceiling, some burgers, some veggies, NO pinata, people who love and care for my family and one little (almost) two year old who has no idea what kind of craziness I would do to make him happy.Let's ton down the crazy and slow life down - they grow up way to fast so don't waste their birthdays!Happy Birthday, Asher!