I also love the idea of simplifying the birthday parties. We’ve done big parties for the kids (four boys) some years, but they like an at-home parties better. We had a pancake breakfast party this year – five 8-year olds plus my 10-year old, with pancakes, sausage and a round of bingo afterward. They had a great time and just enjoyed hanging out together.

My other really fun at-home party was when one of my boys turned four and was fascinated by garbage trucks. The cake was a 9×13 sheet cake cut into the shape of a truck – - decorated with green frosting and candy. We made “Oscar the Grouch” using film canisters, pompoms and jiggly eyes, played “put the can in truck” (ala pin-the-tail), did a recyle toss (empty pop cans into a folded down paper bag (ala bean bag toss). The boys had a blast and it all just took a bit of time to organize. Party favors – - inexpensive matchbox car garbage trucks.

One last idea – - my young teen loves having friends over. They think dessert fondue is really fun – - just make/buy the sauce, get out the chafing dish from grandma and everyone brings something to dip. What a bunch of happy faces around the island in the kitchen!

What have we done in this country by throwing huge theme parties with gift bags for each little guest? My word the expense and the expectations.