But just a few short weeks ago, my baby turned 5 and I found myself registering him for kindergarten, setting up his big-boy bed in his room, and holding my breath as he went on the kiddie roller-coaster at the local amusement park.

Of course, it was a nonstop celebration to honor Hunter’s turning 5. It was a day he’d been anxious for and with all the begging and pleading, it still couldn’t come quick enough for him. For me? It’s always too quick.

A week full of a visit from Gwennie (as grandma is so affectionately called) culminated in the party of the century with a big dancing, talking mouse (any guesses?). A chocolate-only cake, decorated in Star Wars fashion was on the menu, topped with Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker with real working light sabres (it doesn’t get cooler than that). Friends, family and even a girlfriend (yes, girlfriend!) made the event extra special for my little guy.

And it seems things have changed overnight. My 5-year-old is already going on 15. The phrases he uses, the facial expressions, the eye-rolls … the ones that say “Mom, you are so not cool” when I’m trying to make him laugh. Worrying about giving his mom kisses in public … worrying about whether his jeans are “regular” or “skinny” and if his shirt is tucked just right. He’ll readily stick up for friends if they find themselves on the receiving end of a bully’s push. And he still manages to tell me how pretty he thinks I am and but now adds how he thinks I should wear my hair.

He’s truly turning into his own little man. As fast as it goes, it gets better every day.

-Erica Smith

My 4-year-old son on Thursday morning greeted me with a “Happy Birthday, Mommy!!” and it really was the cutest thing. He even thought we were going to my “birthday party” and when he saw me pulling into the school parking lot instead, he let out the most heart-wrenching “Noooooo!” and the tears started flowing. I felt awful. What kind of mid-30s mother doesn’t throw a party for herself? So I promised him just that. A party.

So here I am, picking him up from school and ready to keep this promise. “Where should we have Mom’s party?” I should have expected his response. “Chuck E. Cheeeeeeese!!” Sigh. OK. We can do this. We invite his best friend and his friend’s mom and headed on down to see the big mouse.

To be honest, the next couple of hours were the most fun I’ve had in a while. Our “host” greeted me with a big sticker and a handful of free tokens. Score! Then we scarfed down a pizza and got ready to play some skee ball. It was great. Even Chuck E. came out to take a picture with me. I felt like I was a kid again. Which was appropriate, because if you ask my son how old I am, he’ll say “5″ with absolute certainty.

Take my advice … You’re never too old to be 5 again.

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

I fretted over how to have everything “just right” – SpongeBob cake, pineapple decoration, SpongeBob balloon, yellow utensils, SpongeBob napkins & tablecloth, “Crabby patties” (mini hamburgers) … my family would have enjoyed the visiting time without any frills.

A few hours before the party, I realized I had gone a little overboard.

Birthday parties can be so stressful if you take them too seriously.

I don’t remember EVER having a kid birthday with friends when I was growing up. Although, I did attend two: One was a sleepover (I had to sleep with the light on), and the other had the most magnificent cake: a doll cake draped in green and white icing. All the little girls took turns passing the cake around and taking a bite from the hem of the dress. … Can you say GERMS?

When my oldest daughter turned 5, I joined the birthday parade. It was that “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality. And, I continued this insanity when my second daughter turned 5. Here is a sampling of the birthday parties we’ve had:

- At home with treasure hunt, silly string and cake … fairly inexpensive

- Sleepover (with 12 girls!) … exhausting …. juice and drinks spilled all over carpet, door knob broken off of bathroom door, fights among girls, crying birthday girl.

- Mall shopping … this would have been fairly inexpensive, but I had the bright idea of giving each child $10 … and then they needed more … and then they were hungry.

- Gymnastics … a little pricey, but it was “handled” by the instructors, and we had a cake and gift room, so this was a hit.

- Neighborhood park … who would have thought all 30 of the daycare classmates would have attended? Overall, a great success, but the number of presents were obscene. Looking back, we should have donated or said no presents. But my daughter was in heaven. There was an expense to reserve the pavilion, but it was such a beautiful day that all the kids had a great time. (We did this twice. The second time, hardly anyone showed, so you never know. That’s why RSVPs are so important to parents!)

- Overnight stay at a downtown hotel (Do you really want to take out a second mortgage on your home for a party?) This was a big hit with the girls … TV all night, dogpile on the couch and chairs for sleeping, swimming pool, water taxi ride through Bricktown. All of this would have been perfect, except for the chin injury in the hotel exercise room. Note to parents: Don’t let three 11-year-olds get on a treadmill, even if they say they’ll be fine.)

Looking back, our parties weren’t much different from other parties my kids’ friends had. And I’m glad my kids enjoyed the fun and time with friends and family.

But I still remember the simply iced white cake decorated with animal crackers that my mom made for me. The gift also was very modest. No ponies or jumping castles or skating rink or hotel rooms.

And I loved every birthday. 

– Linda Lynn

LLYNN@OPUBCO.COM

Well, for the past month or so, my son has been asking me if he’s 4 yet.   He just couldn’t wait to change his age. Last weekend, he finally got his wish.  He even got up the morning after his birthday and said “I need to go look in the mirror and make sure I’m still 4!”

As with other ages, the changes just keep coming.   This past year:

Sports become the biggest deal.  You would not believe how serious tiny tots soccer can be.   Just ask the dads yelling from the sidelines.

There’s the first dental visit.  And I’ve already gotten the talk about orthodontia work in his future.  I guess I should start saving for braces now.

He mastered the art of manipulation.   You would not believe how smart kids get between 3 and 4.  They know how to play on your every emotion, twist your words, and somehow always find a way to get what they want.

There’s a new shyness.  He went to the doctor today and cried because he “didn’t want to be naked.” This was the same boy who was only too content running around the house in his underwear.  So out came the hospital gown … one covered in Bugs Bunny and the Tasmanian Devil, of course.

Don’t call him “baby.”  I used to be able to call my little man “baby” whenever I wanted.  Now, I get a lecture every time. “I’m not a baby. I’m 4.”   I have to admit, it broke my heart just a little.

Baby or not, they really do grow so fast.  I can’t wait to see what else this new age brings.

And by the way, he’s already asking when he gets to turn 5.  

-Erica Smith
esmith@opubco.com

My son recently turned 3.  At that very moment (literally!) everything changed.

At 3, most toys are somehow instantly safe.  Go down any toy aisle, and the recommended age for toys is 3 and up.  Sure helps not to have to worry about him choking on small parts anymore.  Or having to order the “3 and younger” toy at the drive through. 

At 3, toddlers have their first dental appointment.  My son will go Monday.  The best part?  Parents are told to wait in the waiting room.  I don’t have to be the one to restrain him while he’s throwing a fit during his cleaning. 

At 3,  they see the pediatrician for the annual checkup.  Best part? No shots.  That changes on the 4-year-old visit, but that’s a whole year away. 

At 3, they get to start all kinds of sports.  My son and I are very excited about him finally being old enough to be on T-ball and soccer teams at the YMCA this year.  Let’s burn off all that extra energy.

At 3, they are officially out of the mommy-and-me swim classes.  In fact, parents are not allowed anywhere near their 3-year-olds during swim class.  Hooray! No more bathing suits until summer.   Which gives me another 2 months to get in shape.

-Erica Smith, Copy Editor

esmith@opubco.com

 

First up – picking a venue. I’ve been doing a bit of research on some neat places in the metro-area that parents can have great birthday parties for young kids.  Here are a few:

1.  The zoo.  The Oklahoma City Zoo has indoor and outdoor facilities that can be reserved for parties and other functions.  There are classrooms in the Education Center, an area in the Canopy Restaurant and outdoor picnic tables.  If your child has a birthday in a warmer weather month, this is a great place to go.  Kids can see the animals as a group and take rides on the train and tram. For more information go to www.okczoo.com and click on “Facility Rental.”

2. Indoor play gyms. We picked Gymboree last year and it was a blast. The staff basically does all the entertaining and toddlers have a great time participating in games and indoor gym equipment.  And the best part? No cleanup.  The kids get to eat their cake on the floor while sitting on a big parachute.  Another place that offers indoor climbing fun is The Little Gym and for inflatable fun, try Pump it Up or Bouncin’ Craze.

3.  The classic pizza-and-game spots.  Who could forget Chuck E. Cheese? I remember spending a few great birthday parties there.  And there are a few in the metro-area offering food, games and more.  Although I think these may be more suitable for kids age 5 and older, anyone can have fun here.  Another is Incredible Pizza on Northwest Expressway. They have a big buffet and different-themed eating rooms.  They also have bowling, miniature golf and go-karts in addition to the many arcade games.  Celebration Station  and Andy Alligator’s also have indoor/outdoor fun and games, for older toddlers/kids.

4. Trains.  Kids love trains.  Just ask my son.  There are a couple of really neat venues that offer real train rides as part of the party fun.  The Oklahoma Railway Museum is open for parties from April to October.  They have two packages – one with and one without a train ride (but really, what’s the fun without a ride?)  And for the party, they can either seat kids in the waiting room at the depot or in a 1921 caboose.  Also, just east of the metro-area, is  L.O.C.O.  which is a Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma. They operate miniature trains that kids can ride on at their park.  They also give free rides the first Sunday of every month from 1-4 p.m. if you want to check them out.

5. Parks. There are a number of metro-area parks that have picnic facilities and playground equipment. Some in the summer have splash pads so kids can wear their swimsuits and stay cool.  It’s an inexpensive fun alternative to other venues, and it keeps the mess out of your house.  For a list of city parks and their amenities, go to http://www.okc.gov/Parks/.  You’ll also find out about programs and other opportunities for fun they offer.

These are just a few suggestions to get you started.  As I come across more between now and April, I’ll be posting them on this blog.  And if you have any birthday party suggestions, please let me know!  I’d love to list them so other parents can have it as a resource.  Comment below or email me.

~Erica Smith

esmith@opubco.com

- Chris Jones

In fact, it was the first time I have ever let her have friends to spend the night, having set the arbitrary age of 7 as the age to allow sleepovers when her older brother turned 7. So now that we’ve officially launched sleepover era in our house for two of my children, I’m wondering when all the rites of slumber party passage begin – prank calling, fingernail painting, toilet papering, truth or dare, commiserating over boys, etc. – all the things we did at one age or another during slumber parties when we were kids.

What do you think is the best age to start allowing friends to spend the night or sons and daughters to go spend the night with friends? At what age do sleepovers end? What rules do you set beforehand? How involved are you as a parent?

My daughter and friends had a great time, and it was fun to watch her spend an entire evening with a small group of friends. One of her guests came from the southwest Oklahoma town we lived in last year, and she fit right in with my daughter’s new group of friends from this year.

I’d love to hear from readers about their children and sleepovers. Have you had a great idea for an activity before the sleeping actually begins? For boys? For girls? Is there anything as a parent you wish you had known before you started slumber parties?

At 7, thank goodness, my daughter isn’t ready for toilet papering or boyfriend anguish. The only setback during her sleepover came when they wanted to tell scary stories but no one could think of any before they fell asleep. I’m still trying to find the right balance between hovering and letting her take the lead. Perhaps by starting at age 7, I have time to learn.
~ Lillie-Beth