It’s less than a week until the “twinions” turn five. FIVE.
No doubt, time will fly by before they will soon be dubbed “the twin-agers
Then again, I doubt if I’ll still be blogging by then.
You. Never. Know.
As per usual, we are completely unprepared for their birthday celebrations.
K-Bear is still crying over the sad fact Christmas is over.
Despite explaining that there’s a good chance he’s getting his own “Shark Play Set”, just like the one he’s obsessed with at daycare, almost 5 year old logic doesn’t seem to grasp that receiving for his birthday, isn’t as long of a wait.
“Noooooo!!! I want it for Christmas, OKAY???!!!”
Okay.
Unperturbed Nunu couldn’t care less either way. Just don’t touch his Stegosaurus or Triceratop, OKAY???
Okay.
If there’s anything that’s going to be a constant family tradition in our household, it will be that the twinions will ALWAYS be getting a birthday party…
3 weeks after their actual birthday.
They should be so lucky we’re even throwing one.
There was, after all a four year recovery, er I mean hiatus after their first.
While last year’s wasn’t a complete shambles, the memory of my shirtless husband slaving away in the kitchen at 2am, decorating two dinosaur cakes with Maltesers, green food colouring and choc drops has been burned on my mind.
That and of course the moment I realized that over a dozen preschoolers were bashing the Thomas Pinata to no avail because…I was supposed to fill it up with LOLLIES!!
Come on! Buy the Pinata AND the lollies? What happened to “All in One” deals?
Whatever shin dig we come up with this year, invoices will NOT be sent to last minute no-shows.
Seriously. Some people.
Anyway, the twinions are turning five.
Fünf Jahre alt. 五歳. Lima tahun.
FIVE YEARS OLD.
Someone, hold me.
Any SIMPLE ideas for five year old birthday themes? Did you hear about the parents who invoiced the no-show parents for their kid’s ski party? Were you Team Party Parents or Team No-Show Parents?
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the FYBF linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
Happy birthday boys!
I would not send an invoice … (although, depending on their track record and the reason they didn’t show, I might be tempted)
Good luck Mumma Grace!
L
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1934 – Cheer Chick Charlie Super Snacks
Caroline raj says
I can’t believe your boys are 5!!! My, they grow up so quick! As far as tips I’m sure you have this totally under control and I’m sure the boys have themes they want already!! I did read about the mother that invoiced for the no-show at the birthday party – out of control!
Caroline raj recently posted..What’s Hot and Giveaway: Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Advance Comfort Bottles
JodY At Six Little Hearts says
McDonalds, Grace. McDonalds!
Never understood why but kids in this age group (actually, all kids), just love McDonalds parties.
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Back to School With Gooie – Great Gear for Kids and A Fantastic Back to School Giveaway…
JodY At Six Little Hearts says
McDonalds, Grace. McDonalds!
Never understood why but kids in this age group (actually, all kids), just love McDonalds parties.
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Back to School With Gooie – Great Gear for Kids and A Fantastic Back to School Giveaway…
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen says
Lots of Birthdays, mine was last week and Miss WW turns 19 on Tuesday. Happy 5th birthday boys! Another vote for MacDonalds, no work for you and the kids love it! xx N
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen recently posted..First Day Of School Fun!
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
Happy Birthday to the boys and congrats to you for making it to five years! I think just keep it simple. Make a simple cake and pop a dinosaur on top of one, Make a massive bowl of blue jelly and have a shark sticking out of it. Empty some crazy party food into bowls and you are done. Oh ok, maybe some balloons and streamers too. Kids don’t need a lot to have fun.
As for invoicing, geez! Looking back now I wonder how it would have gone down if I invoiced the last minute no shows to my wedding – so much wasted money! Though its an entertaining thought, I’d never do it!
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted..Friday Favourite: Katrina Chambers
Lydia C. Lee says
I would never send an invoice, but I’ have paid $30 a head for a kid that didn’t turn up (that said, they didn’t rsvp either, and I just grabbed a sibling of a kid to fill the spot) but I was at a party and the woman had paid for 4 spots for kids that didn’t turn up – so she’d wasted $130 on nothing. I felt really sorry for her & I would have been furious as that is a lot of money to pay for nothing. You either rsvp and come, or you rsvp no and don’t. But kids parties cost enough as it is – they are creeping up to $50 a head, before cake! So while the parents are completely nuts, I was definitely team parents….that guy was just rude and I didn’t get that he thought his behaviour was fine.
Happy birthday to the twins – how exciting!
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Be a woman
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Happy Birthday you two little cuties!!! Hahaha I heard that on the news this week – I can’t say I would ever send an invoice (but you would be kinda annoyed lol!). xxx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Passionfruit Slice – Fabulous Foodie Fridays #35
Desire Empire says
We had 3 no shows to my husbands 60th. Which at $45 / head was a bit rich. so I can understand the sentiment, but no invoices were sent out how ever much I’d like to.
Happy birthday to your boys. As for themes, forget that. A romp in the park with cake and chips is just as much fun. Here are some of the cakes I have made over the last 12 years. Some very simple and effective`. https://www.desireempire.com/2012/07/birthday-cake.html
Carolyn
Desire Empire recently posted..Prosciutto, Tomato and Feta Pies with Basil and Zucchini Christmas 2014
Aleney @ BoyEatsWorld says
Happy Birthday to your beautiful boys Grace and happy five years of twinion bliss to you Grace. x
Aleney @ BoyEatsWorld recently posted..Easy queasy – 7 tips for travelling with car sick kids
Emily says
Happy birthday twinions! My girl turns five this year too. I’m already in denial.
I would never invoice someone – I thought that was ridiculous (and probably done to go viral on the internet – well played). But I’d also be super unimpressed if just three days earlier they had confirmed they were coming and then not bothered to correct that. A text, a facebook message, anything on the day. Their excuses for not going sound like ones that would have been pretty clear at RSVP stage. So while the invoice was ridiculous, I guess I understand the frustration behind it.
Emily recently posted..It’s Bedtime, William! – Deborah Niland (book review)
Raych aka Mystery Case says
Happy Birthday to your gorgeous boys. I’m still shaking my head about the birthday party no show invoice. Who on earth would ever think that as a good idea.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..Fitness Fashion – Mystery Case Style Challenge
Robo says
5! Far out man! Happy Birthday boys! We usually do a big family bash for our birthdays with whatever theme loosely woven through. One thing I always do however is make their cake. Nothing beats a wonky, lumpy cake that Mama makes with love. Enloy their birthday! XX
Robo recently posted..Big School All Over Again
Neets says
Happy 5th birthday to the twinions. OMG A pinata with no lollies! That’s nearly as bad, nearly, as me making chocolate crackles for my son’s 2nd birthday party and forgot to put the sugar in! You should have seen the kids faces. And the parents! Have you thought of an active kids party. Just outsource it and I guarantee the kids will be knackered by the end of the day. xx
Neets recently posted..10 Useful Apps For The Whole Family
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
Happy Birthday Twinions! 5! It does seem so much bigger. I will have a five year old this year too so I am totally empathetic with the, what the?
I’m thinking sending an invoice to the no-show-parents wass a bit much. Sure, they’ve made a point but some things you have to just grin and bare it. I’m not sure if they were expecting all this media coverage.
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..Baby Mango
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Happy Birthday to your special boys! I’m still in denial over my big boy turning 3 almost 2 weeks ago, just thinking about the big 5 gives me heart palpitations!
The invoice to the parents was a bit over the top, however I can understand their frustration at kids not turning up when they had already rsvp – it’s a tough one.
Lauren @ Create Bake Make recently posted..Passionfruit Slice – Fabulous Foodie Fridays #35
Natalie @ourparallelconnection says
Any party that is held outside the house is the best party to host… Especially when you have double the trouble, double mess, double the friends and double the excitement. Enjoy their 5th birthday
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Happy BIG 5 birthday to your beautiful boys, Grace! And Happy 5 years to you, mama!
We did an at home party for 5, and my cake was a hilarious disaster. But I think it all adds to the fun, when they’re that little.
I bet those parents didn’t think their story would go viral, and wonder if they regret their invoicing now?
Happy Friday, lovely xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..2014 Went Like This
DaIsy says
Make it stop!!!! I can’t cope. Because then it’s only 4 months until MY boys are 5 and that’s not allowed!!!!
Also, I want to squish your babies!!! Howcomewhy we didn’t meet sooner!?
Tonia Zemek says
Golly they are gorgeous! Hope you have a lovely celebration and plenty of yummy cake. xx
stephanie@stephsjoy says
Happy birthday to K-Bear and Nunu! How about a water party? Given it’s summer, a few friends running through the sprinkler, set up a slip and slide in the yard. x
stephanie@stephsjoy recently posted..Going to School – moments to capture
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
Laughing ma ass off about the pinata Mama G! Organising a party for one 5yo is hectic enough but two! YIKES. Sad that our babies are starting school huh, all the best for Tuesday lovely xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..16 things I’ve already learned this year!
Lara @ This Charming Mum says
Woo hoo! Happy birthday Twinions! What is it with boys and dinosaurs eh? Hope you have fun celebrating. As for that invoicing story, what a classic. I must admit it’s annoying trying to confirm numbers when you’re organising a party at a playcentre or somewhere, but the birthday child’s happiness is the main thing. This child will not be made happy by his mother starting World War 3 at the school gate! ,
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..You bought a dog? Yes, Michael. I bought a dog.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
What, you have to buy the lollies for the pinata as well?!! Thats a bit of a rip! I haven’t got any easy ideas for a party lol I tend to go overboard.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..52 WEEKS OF MEMORIES | 3 – SKY
Ai Sakura says
haha Lil Pumpkin saw the pic of the twinlets in the highchair and went, ” Oh, so messy ah!!!” 😛
Seriously I think the invoice thing could have been better handled. Understand the frustration but invoicing a kid for not turning up to your kid’s party definitely isn’t one of the way to release it!
Ai Sakura recently posted..Singapore Cheongsams :: Our Bitsy Prints Modern Cheongsam Shopping
Lauren says
I’m still recovering from my son’s first birthday. He couldn’t have cared less what was going on but I went to SO much effort. Stupid Pinterest. His second birthday is going to be a cake and a balloon. That’s about it. I don’t think I can handle another extravaganza.
As for that invoice debacle? Sure, it was poor form not to show up, but what’s wrong with quietly bitching and moaning behind someone’s back? Surely they knew that typing up an invoice and handing it off to a teacher to pass on would go down VERY BADLY. In no world do you come up looking like the good guy when you do that.
Lauren recently posted..Not fat, just pregnant
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum says
Happy birthday to your boys! Wow five! The years go by so quickly don’t they? I can’t believe my youngest is starting school this year!
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum recently posted..Ready, steady, school: my back to school tips
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life says
Happy birthday to the twinions! 🙂 They grow up so quickly. Are they going to be starting school this year? {I’m sure you’ve blogged about it but I can’t remember!}
I thought the invoice sent to parents for the child not attending the party was ridiculous! Makes me wonder whether people get invoiced for RSVPing and not attending a wedding! 😛
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted..Travel Tales: Hobart, Bruny Island and Port Arthur
Lisa says
Hey Grace, I am on team common-sense, people need to stop paying for over the top parties for kids & parents need to teach their kids to be polite & RSVP (and follow through on the day). Congratulations on surviving 5 years, Happy Birthday to those beautiful boys xx
Lisa recently posted..Supporting Alzheimer’s Disease with JACK LEE
Dani @ sand has no home says
Happy birthday dear twinions, YAY! How exciting!
Great work on the pinata mama 🙂
Dani @ sand has no home recently posted..‘Welcome to Holland’, (arriving at an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis)
Julie @ Off to the park says
Happy Birthday twinions!! I hope they enjoy their party, whatever it is you do for them I’m sure they’ll have fun. We just had Popette’s 6th Frozen birthday (I still can’t believe she’s 6) party which was a big hit with her school friends. We had 2 no-shows, I texted one Mum to see what happened to her daughter, as Popette was wondering where she was…but I didn’t invoice her! (I couldn’t believe the parents who did that!)
Love the pic from their first birthday, that’s a keeper for their 21st! xx
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..Popette’s Frozen birthday party + 5 tips to create a Frozen party on a budget
Beck says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS.
Wow they have grown up so fast. Book a kids indoor play ground for their birthday party. I think they also include the cake/s 🙂
Beck recently posted..EVERYDAY SMALL THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR RIGHT NOW !
Sally@Toddlers on Tour says
Oh I hadn’t heard about the story of the woman who invoiced the no-shows, but well done her!!!
It peeves me no end the parents that can’t even RSVP. Some parents thinking not RSVPing means I’m not coming and otheres think it means of course I’m coming I’d let you know if we weren’t. Seriously stop the confusion and be polite RSVP – it’s only a text.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted..My Hard Rock Hotel Penang Review (with Kids)
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy says
I can’t believe how fast they’ve grown up. Since starting to follow your blog in 2012, gosh they’ve shot up, they’re so big! I caught a glimpse of that story on invoicing the no shows, although that was taking it a bit too far, I must admit I can’t stand it when people just don’t show.
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy recently posted..Penis Capers and Perspectives from a Mum Without Brothers
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Happy Birthday to the twins! It gets easier as they get older but the challenges are different. Esther turns 5 in August and I can’t believe how fast that time has gone!
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Every mother’s worst fear
Kathy says
Happy Birthday twinions (well early happy birthday, I’ll send best wishes on FB). I’m with you on finding it hard to believe where those 5 years go and you may remember our Little Yang is only 10 days behind – plus with him starting school it’s like EEEK! I have gotten as far as the party invitations which I made myself and printed as a photo – Superheroes party at home. Other than that, and the fact we have a pool for entertainment, I have done zilch planning so far. No-shows are really rude, but invoicing is rude too.
Pinky Poinker says
Many happy returns to those gorgeous twinions. Five is a lovely age… sort of. Personally I think it’s the height of rudeness to no show at a party where there is great expense at stake. I’d send them an invoice!
Pinky Poinker recently posted..Are you Touchy-Feely?
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
Happy Birthday to the Twinions – hope they have fun being five. Good luck with that cake decorating and then be a smarty and enjoy the party!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..5 Favourite Australia Day Recipes
Deborah says
Happy birthday!!! Bet they had a great day either way. Love the pics!!!
Deb
Deborah recently posted..NSVs – Non scale victories
Tash @ Gift Grapevine says
Happy birthday twinions! My Miss TT turns 5 next month too – where does the time go? Kids are easy to please and I think parents put too much pressure on themselves to deliver a fancy party – I blame Instagram and Pinterest. I was up last year re-baking and decorating a cake at midnight (my tired state resulted in spilling half a bottle of pink food colouring on the kitchen tiles – there’s still evidence to this day). I wasn’t overly happy with the result of the cake but Miss TT thought it was brilliant. Chocolate cake, simple party food, bubbles and a bouncy castle kept her and her friends happy for a few hours. Good luck for next week – can’t wait to see the pics!
Tash @ Gift Grapevine recently posted..Baby and kids gift idea picks – January 2015
Jean says
Time flies. Are the boys in kindergarten part-time or full-time?
Kylie Purtell - A Study in Contradictions says
Wow, 5 already! How fast has that gone! I imagine it’s a little bittersweet, they certinly aren’t babies anymore!
Kylie Purtell – A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Linky Lovin’ Friday {23rd January 2015} // Reading