Birthday party, take one! Yay?

[kseenaa]

Tomorrow we are going to visit my mom and do a pre-celebration of Alexandra's birthday.

Pre-celebration, what you mean you might ask...

Well, my relatives are very lazy. It is apparently easier for US to do the two-hour trip to the area where THEY live (and mom) than it is for them to do the same trip to visit us. Hey. And here I thought it was the same no matter what way you went. :-/ Also, mom got a house. Gawd forbid you can have a birthday party for a baby-girl in an apartment... :-/

So we'll borrow mom's house and garden and have our selfs a little birthday party there.

It saddens me a little, because doing it this way means my relatives and peting73's relatives never get the hang out. And that, quite frankly, sucks. :-/

So, I think we'll only do it this way this year. Next year, when she turns two, they bloody well have to suck it up and take that trip or not congratulate Alexandra at all. So there.

I feel kinda torn about it. :-(

On one hand, I want Alexandra to experience the HUGE crazy family gatherings I got to experience when I grew up.

But at the same time, we live HERE. This is our HOME. Why can't they visit us, when they expect us to visit them all the time? :-/

So, yeah. It'll be fun to meet all and all that this weekend, but I do feel very torn about the whole thing. :-/

Oh well.

At least there will be cake and cookies.

This entry is crossposted between LJ and DW. Comment where you are comfortable.

Comments

[livindeadgirl.livejournal.com]

I can't get over she'll be a year old. I don't blame you though. Have the party their and invite the ones you love. They show great, they don't show they have hell to pay. You have enough on your plate already dealing with setting up the party. If they can't go out of their way for you wth!
It's a touchy subject on my part...but either way YOU want it I'm sure it will be fun and a success.

[steinsgrrl.livejournal.com]

That bites. You could tell them it's more difficult to travel with a baby than for them to just come to you. :/

I can't believe it's been a year already!

[snowstormskies.livejournal.com]

Omg, a year?!


*shakes head*


Well done, you two.


And regarding your family, you tell them they can come to you next time. Six months before Alex's birthday, tell them that you're happy to bake and cook, and that there'll be plenty of goodies, but you can't make that journey again. It's not fair on you - fuel, wear and tear on the car, time, energy... You have a home that is perfectly good.

If they protest, say that you're sorry but it's not something you can do. Or that you should rotate - one year with you, and one year with them.

Carve it out for your family. It's easier to do it /now/ than when Alex is eight or nine, and you're back at work, and battling years of "But you've done it before!" when you can't make it.

[shapinglight]

Well, Happy Birthday to Alexandra!

I can't believe it's a year already. Is she walking/close to walking?

[dylansbuzz.livejournal.com]

I feel you. I'm gonna give you some totally unsolicited advice, so take it as you will.

Draw the line NOW, while the baby is still a baby. This is YOUR family now, you and she and your man. The rest of your family, no matter how you love them, are extended. You're the nuclear and what you want is important.

Don't run around for their convenience. If its important to them to see you guys, they'll suck it up and do what they need to do. If not, you know that then, too. Do not always automatically accommodate them. They'll grow to expect it and it will become a horrible point of contention - trust me on this. I know.

Make your own traditions first worry about theirs later. You three are the most important now.