Joy just turned seven!! We've been planning a sparkle birthday party at her request... with "no singing" - also at her request. Since she was old enough to speak in understandable sentences, she has made sure that no one sings the Happy Birthday song - she starts confirming this a week or two in advance. "Mom, make sure everyone knows not to sing." "You're going to tell people right?" "When people come will you tell them right when they walk in?" I think she's been traumatized by the Red Robin singing troupes... but I digress.
The point of my story is that I wanted to have a no-gift party. "Presence not presents." Because heaven knows we don't have space for more stuff in our little house - and does she really need more things, anyway? So a few weeks ago, before we sent the invitations, I broached this subject to Joy. She looked at me like I was sprouting a second nose right before her eyes. "MOM. The presents are the best part of a birthday party." The best part? The best part? Am I a complete failure as a parent? Have I taught her nothing about love and friendship and what is really important in this world?
Suffice it to say... she was blessed with both presence AND presents this birthday. And I am happy to report that although she was excited about the presents, I think she was genuinely more excited about the presence of the same small handful of friends and family that celebrated with her when she turned one year old. Happy Birthday, sweet girl!
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Cross-posted from singlesupermama.com