When I was a child, my mom was known for throwing the best birthday parties. Some parents rented rooms at a hotel with a waterslide so that kids could swim. Others would take a group of kids to McDonald’s for one of their special birthday celebrations.

I have to admit that I had a blast at those parties, but none could compare to the parties my mom planned and threw for us each year. Every party was at home and featured food and games my mom had made and planned herself, but the originality is exactly what made them so much fun.

Now that I have kids of my own, I’ve taken a page from my mother’s book…and maybe even gone a step further! Planning that perfect party is a chance to test my creativity and create something special for my boys, and seeing their smiles after all the fun has come together makes the effort worthwhile. I also enjoy the fact that by creating my own themed parties, I generally save money too! [Read more…]