not quite nine







Recently, life has bee a blur of activity and I feel utterly zombified. Work in particular has been very busy and I have been working long hours, evenings and some weekends, too. Christmas thankfully is not a major cause of stress. I am by no means a grinch but I don't usually get sucked into the Christmas vortex. I'll tell you about our plans another day because today I want to share Alistair's fun birthday party with you.

Alistair's birthday party sneaked up on and I was not ready for it. In my mind, it was weeks in the future. Then, all of a sudden, it was upon us. Alistair did talk about it plenty but it didn't compute with me. Anyway, he is going to be nine later this month but we decided to have a party nearer the beginning of December. It is not fun for a child to have a birthday so close to Christmas and usually, his friends are too busy with family gatherings to come and help him celebrate. I am a bit tired of birthday parties to be honest, there have been many over the years... but I don't want to punish James and Alistair for my kid birthday party fatigue. I sometimes feel guilty because they didn't have all their birthdays with us. That's silly of course and I can't blame myself for birthdays missed. I don't actually know in any detail how the boys birthdays were celebrated when they were still in care but I know Alistair and James were loved by their foster family and I am sure they had fabulous celebrations. I am my own worst enemy, I know, always overthinking. I am digressing.

The thought of having another birthday party in the house was just a bit too much. I also couldn't face the prospect of spending two hours of my life in one of those dreadful children party places that the children seem to love. Think smelly soft play centre or bright and noisy bowling alleys that are sure to give you a migraine. I asked our older children's scout leader if he would help us organise an outdoor party. He is currently trying to build up an outdoor adventure business for children and young adults, which also offers birthday activities. James participated in a week long adventure camp and said it was amazing. I thought it would be fun for us and the children and good for marketing for the scout leader.

An outdoor birthday party in December is a bit of a gamble of course and some fun activities were not realistic given the short days and frequently miserable weather conditions. We decided on a bushcraft party that would include building dens and making fires. Everybody likes to make a fire. Through the connection with Scouts, we could use the Scout hall and the land on which it stands. It is quite wild, considering we are in the middle of a large city. It was good to know we could play games in the hall if the weather was too awful.

Alistair invited 11 children and 9 could make it. We based the number of invites on past party attendance numbers and we expected about 5.... maybe it was the lure of a fire that was so attractive. We made sure to ask parents to dress their children adequately and most children had at least a warm coat. You'd be surprised how many children don't have appropriate winter outdoor clothing. We were lucky with the weather, it was not too cold and it was dry.

The children had a den building competition. They split into a girl team (with one boy) and a boy team (funny that, we encouraged them to mix). The girl team won with a den that gave shelter from the rain and even included a couple of old tyres to "store stuff" and to sit on. The boy team was fannying about and made a rather less useful den but they did have a flag pole with a colourful flag made out of a broken football they had found, to mark their territory.

The children then learned to make fire with flint and steel. Every child managed to ignite cottonwool balls that were slathered with petroleum jelly. They practiced in the fire bowl part of Kelly kettles. which we then used to heat up water for hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was a bit yuck if you ask me (I prefer mine made with full fat milk) but the children didn't complain. The kids then went on to  build a proper fire to make popcorn and to toast marshmallows. Both were delicious, even the slightly singed popcorn. There were some great marshmallow toasters in the group.

We didn't offer much else in terms of food and drink. Just some diluting juice to quench thirst, mini sausage rolls and pieces of fruit for those that were still peckish after eating their own body weight in popcorn. Of course we also had the Maltesers cake that Annie made.

Before and after practicing survival skills, there was a lot of vigorous running around, climbing trees and swinging on the tyre swing.

I have to say, it was one of the easiest parties ever and I think everybody had a lot of fun. We did pay for the privilege of using the Scout hall and having a outdoor adventure man lead the activities but of course an outdoor party can be completely free. James (who went to the climbing wall for his birthday) already said that he fancied going hillwalking with his friends next year, or kayaking. I imagine either will be nice. There are many hillwalking opportunities around Glasgow and the canal 5 minutes from our house is ideal for kayaking with young children.

That's the last birthday party of the year ticked off. Of course we still have the actual birthday to celebrate. But that's in the distant future and I shan't worry about this just yet.

Do you have or had birthday parties for your children? Do you have birthday parties for yourself? I might, next year.

Thanks for stopping by and saying hello, it is lovely to see you. xx

Comments

  1. That sounds like the most brilliant fun... and ideal party for children of that age. And the food just perfect! I think the whole birthday party thing can get totally out of hand (says she who had 60 people for a tea party to celebrate her 60th!)

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  2. Sounds a fantastic birthday party, I love how the boys and girls den making was so different. It's evidently all about the priorities. Together they could at least have a comfortable fortress.
    We did a sports hall party one yr for my eldest, then 6 or 7 yrs old then. An hr in the gym with a bouncy castle, football, table tennis, a badminton court and some climbing apparatus. Then the ballet room for food and drinks + cake that we had to supply. Party bag and home. I've usually stuck to home parties before that. They are a lot of work but... the kids love whatever you do.
    Now they're 15 + 17 yrs even now they like to have a friend or 4 over for xbox, pizza, fizz, cake and a sleepover.
    The youngest still is due a sleepover bless him. His birthday was back in September. His friends don't do the sleeping bit on the sleepover tho. Last time, 2 yrs ago, I handed them back to mum's half asleep. They played xbox, chatted and ate all night. He fell asleep in the afternoon. Cx

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  3. What a perfect way to celebrate for a nearly nine year old. Outdoors, fire, sticks, marshmallows and all the amazing stuff. Glad the weather was kind. I’m almost wishing mine were young again to do the same. Our lot were into treasures hunts on the beach. Always went down well. Hope you are feeling less frazzled soon. B x

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  4. I've never had a birthday party, but we did several for our daughter as she was growing up. The best was when we lived in Stuttgart, Germany and she had 2 friends who had birthdays close to hers and we combined the 3 into one big party, had lots of help and it was great.
    I like the outdoor adventure idea, I'd enjoy that myself.

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  5. Sounds like a brilliant time was had by all. And no house tidying to do afterwards! Although I always had the tea party followed by traditional party games format when I was growing up, we went down the soft play/swimming pool/pizza parlour route for our two. Oh, I remember I did have a beach party when I was 15. Me and my friends thought we were the bees knees!

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  6. That sounds a fantastic party. I completely understand your party fatigue and am impressed that you still have parties; I wouldn't let my four have parties after they were seven (even when my daughter made her own invitations and handed them out for her eighth birthday). All our children's parties consisted of a treasure hunt and a tractor & trailer ride. No party bags because they just went home with a piece of cake. Good grief, reading this comment back, I sound so mean.

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  7. I put off having birthday parties for our pair for as long as possible but at 7 the guilt got to me, they have had an outdoor party pretty much like yours but run by an ex-nursery worker we knew who has a full time outdoor kids venture complete with his own bit of woodland and a science party that we hired a hall for. I always feel the need of a stiff drink afterwards.

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  8. We always did outdoor birthday parties when ours were small. Camping, camp fires, treasure hunts in the woods etc. It sounds like you guys had a fab time. X

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  9. Outdoor parties are the best. My middle child has a friend whose parents always do legendary parties. They did a survival one which he absolutely loved. Still talks about it now. The youngest has been to a couple of fun outdoor ones as well. As you say, a bit of fire is the thing, they're all happy once something has gone up in flames and there are marshmallows to toast. Well done you for organising such a brilliant party, you're a top parent. CJ xx

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  10. Fantastic! That's just like one of the wildlife trust parties I would do.. it's always the same with the dens - the girls generally do better than the boys as they actually get on with it and add extras where the boys faff and don't finish! Love the popcorn pan here - we just tie two sieves together with wire!

    I'm feeling much the same at the moment... life is too busy, I want more time for doing nothing!

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  11. I bet that will be one of the most memorable birthday parties of his life.. good for you! I used to invite kids to a party at our house for their birthdays and would make a cake and decorate it and have games. Our DIL doesn't go into much for their big days, just a dinner out with family, usually. I guess it all depends on what the mom wants to do! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  12. What a fabulous idea you had for a party! I'm sure everyone enjoyed this very much. My little grandson turned 8 and he's had a few parties. Lately, his mom has decided to let friends donate to a charitable cause if they wish. Being an empty nester, I love reading about your adventures. My best to you dear friend, Pat xx

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  13. I think it sounds like a lot of fun. I used to do parties for my kids, and put a lot of planning and not a little money into them, but birthday parties aren't very common around here for some reason, so they were never reciprocated. I didn't mind at first, but then I started feeling like it was a little strange that people would come and partake but not have parties themselves, so my kids never had the chance to experience anyone else's party or help others celebrate. I know that probably sounds petty and selfish, and maybe it is, but it bothered me. Now, we just have dinner out as a family and back home for cake and presents. It's fun - quieter and a lot easier, not to mention cheaper, ha.

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  14. This party sounds like a blast Christina - for kids and parents alike! It has all the elements that kids should like - running wild, playing with fire and sticks, and fun food. Great idea!

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  15. Brilliant! Heidi sometimes has a party like this at the farm but her birthday is in August so we have other issues like wilting sunburnt children but they are always well received by the children who are not allowed to roam free in a field and wood alongside lighting a fire. One girl wanted to stroke a sheep one year and spent the whole party chasing them even though we explained they would keep running! Happy Birthday little fella! Jo x

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  16. Hey Christina,
    Absolutely with you on the fatigue front, my friend. And this year I don't get time off, having foolishly opted for self employment. I would have loved Alistair's birthday party. It sounds like a lot of fun. I'm glad that he enjoyed it. Alf's birthday is 27th December, so I always feel like we don't do it any justice. I'm usually too knackered, and often feel like I've just held back a few Xmas pressies for his birthday. He's had some great parties over the years though. This year, it's pizza, Star Wars and a sleepover with mates. I just have to provide the cash.
    Leanne xx

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  17. It sounds brilliant fun. Alistair would love the forest school sessions we run at our school, they're very similar. I usually plan some kind of party for my two but Bella soon turns eleven so I think those days may be coming to an end. I, however, turn 40 next year and would very much like someone to throw me a fabulous party. X

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  18. Being one who enjoys the outdoors, this sounds like a great birthday party! I'm sure all the kids will remember it fondly because it was something different. I'm all finished with parties (and have been for some years now). My daughter was born in Feb so we had to be creative with her parties, but they were always the best. Skating, tobogganing, even shopping in Toronto! I like the way you held your son's party far ahead of the Christmas season to allow more kids to attend.
    I hope your schedule settles down somewhat so that you can enjoy the holidays without work pressing on your brain.
    Wendy x

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  19. The almost nine birthday party sounds just perfect for an active young man. My he is getting so big! I am at birthday party fatigue myself and have to admit I hesitate to take Little Buddy to any of his classmates parties because I fear he will want one too. I know I am horrible! I just went a bit overboard when my older two were younger, of course I was not working then or driving around all day like a madwoman. you are the very best Mum, don't forget that.

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  20. That looks like a really fun party and cool idea.
    We have started having birthday parties starting with the 4th so this year will be H's first.
    D had his 4th and 5th and buy the time his 6th rolled around he was already over the big party and wanted to do something with just his two best friends..
    M and I have birthday's just a day apart.. so while we do not have parties anymore we do try to combine our birthdays and celebrate with something fancy.

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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