If you’ve read much of this blog you know that our family is BIG into celebrating.  Simply put, we are REVELERS.  And so for holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, baby-just-pooped-in-the-potty days, I-just-barely-survived-till-5:00 days, you name it…we’ll throw a party.

In our typical confetti-crazed fashion, when the Little Mister and Little Missy’s birthdays came on the horizon we rolled up our sleeves and got to work (i.e., I baked and shopped and planned and created all sorts of neat-o excel spreadsheets, and Mike just shook his head in bewilderment and got ready to carry the bags).

After 6 years “in the biz” (the parenting biz, that is) we’ve got this birthday party stuff down to a science.  So let me break it down for you in 10 easy steps…

1) Grab some children.
Preferably those who are related to you.
And those who’ve actually turned a year older recently.  Cause you know, gotta be legit and all (there are presents at stake!!!).

2) Lure in some obliging grandparents.
The key here is to emphasize how the day will be full of hugs, cake, and “heartwarming milestone moments.”  They’re suckers for that cheesy stuff!  And you don’t want to scare them off with the reality of the noise and crazy that’s about to ensue…and the many, many ways that you are going to ask them to help.

3) Toss said party-goers into a room full of bounce houses and games.
The bigger, the bouncier, the better.

4) Invite some super fun pals.
Now don’t get soft on me here.  We’re talking a LOT of pals…25 at least.  Plus some babies for good measure!

5) Turn up the music.
Like, WAY up.  Can you still hear yourself think?  Yes?  Okay, then crank it up some more.

6) Then let ’em loose!
Make sure to shove your husband into the mix for all of the jumping, bouncing, crashing fun.  Because somebody’s gotta do the heavy lifting!  And because after having three children yourself, well, you joining in just ain’t gonna happen.

7) When you notice your large cadre of Merry-Makers has burned off their energy and are about to keel over from exhaustion…

8) Line ’em up and send ’em out…to the Party Room that is!

9) And then in the Party Room, with the smell of sweat and excitement wafting pungently through the air, you can ring in the new (birth) year for your beloved kiddos…

…and fill the masses with CAKE!
Three kinds of cake, all homemade.  Because I’ve never been one to show restraint…especially when it comes to dessert.

But, of course, remember to serve said cake in a place where someone else does all of the set-up, cake cutting, serving, and clean-up.  Ugh, especially the clean-up.  Because you’re brilliant like that.

And then party till the cows come home!  Or until they kick you out because another party is comin’ through…whichever comes first.

10) Saunter out to the car and pat yourself on the back for a birthday party well done.  
You are amazing.  A champion, even.

And these crazy monkeys are totally worth it.