Yesterday my firstborn turned the big 1-1.
Or as I referred to it – the 11th anniversary of motherhood for me.
I spent the day as I do on each of their birthdays – giving a play by play on what happened the day they were were born.
Cam’s starts around breakfast – my water broke. At that point Cam asks if I am going to be doing this all day. I reply that yes I will because it was one of the most important days in my life and I replay it for my benefit – not for his.
This year his birthday fell on Easter Monday, which worked out well for him. A four day weekend culminating in his birthday. This year and last proved to be very different celebrations than in the past. Maybe it’s the double digits but it seems that the “birthday party” days are over (thank god!).
We’ve come to a point where he wants to hang out with a couple of buddies, have some pizza and a maybe sleepover.
Buying presents also a thing of the past. Gift cards and money.
I could not let him wake up yesterday with nothing to unwrap, so I bought him a couple of books and a new reading light.
We had dinner and cake with grandparents and he ended up quite satisfied with his birthday loot.
It’s a little bittersweet that we have reached this mark already with him, although it makes gift giving easier.
My son has only ever had 1 Birthday party. He has never been into them. And I would say the $$ thing started around 10 too. They are too cool for toys!
My daughter is 9 and she always wants a party (although she has done a few smaller sleepovers instead of the big one) and she got a few giftcards this year but mostly gifts. We’ll see!
My daughter turned 10 a few weeks ago. She asked her friends for Best Buy gift cards (she is saving for an ipod to take to camp). While we appreciated every gift I hate to admit that those who decided to forgo the gift card and purchased an actual gift were for the most part returned to the store. The older the kids get the harder it is to buy gifts. I almost exclusively purchase mall gift cards. Just last week I asked my daughter’s friend what she wanted to her birthday and her response was “cash”. Simple and easy!
Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your wonderful boy!!
My eldest seems pretty low-key when it comes to parties and things anyway, so I’m thinking the days of cash and gift cards will be appreciated sooner than later. I can’t WAIT for the ease of it all. 😉
boys = easier with b-day parties than girls. Girls STILL insist on parties until they were 13. or my oldest anyway. I tried to stop it at 12 but all the girls wanted one more year of presents. yes presents. This year my oldest wanted a party for her 14th. no presents. Just a party. um, with boys and girls. EEK!
My youngest is happy to be turning 11 with a few friends, the drive-in and a sleep over but yes still presents. I heard boys give boys games and gift cards at this point. I guess girls can still give clothes and accessories plus some gift cards.