After reading a dozen articles on what people have done for their first child’s first birthday, I quickly realized that nothing I would do could come close to making it in a feature magazine article, or front page news, so I opted for something more practical. (Imagine that from ME)…. I read that the average 1st b-day party in 2005 cost between $200-$400. I find this absolutely insane, since Eden isn’t even going to remember this day, let alone care. “Presents? Whatever! Mom, give me PAPER!”
Since we have no family in the area, and Michigan was too far a drive, we took off on our family camping trip the week before and figured we’d think of something special during the week. Well, the 22nd came around, and we sat around our campsite saying to each other, “So, did you think of anything fun to do?” and, “Did we get her anything?”
In the end, we loaded up the dogs and all headed into the tiny town of Ashland, Nebraska, 3 miles from where we were camping, to the grocery store. I ran in to buy candles and then we found an ice cream stand. I whipped out some Otis Spunkemeyer chocolate chip breakfast muffins, jammed a candle in the top, and waited for Al to order us some vanilla soft serve. (Since we didn’t have matches, you’ll just have to imagine the candle’s flame.)
We sang Happy Birthday with a bunch of high school boys watching us with a look of oddity, and then dug in. Muffins are less messy than cake, I’m glad to say.
No presents, no balloons or streamers, no older cousins running around having fun. But it was a birthday, none the less. And for about five bucks, it was alright! (Though, the cousins would have been a bonus…maybe next year?)
So I won’t get the ‘mother-of-the-year’ award. That’s Ok. Eden loves me anyway.
Hmm, this looks edible....
Mommy's little girl, ball cap and all. Thanks, Jerry and Sarah!
