(Birthday) Party Politics.

Busy turned 5 yesterday. We escaped town early- as we are in the middle of a flood but the main road was open and we went to see the Muppets again so Grandma (who is visiting) and Daddy could see it too. We loved it again. 

We came home and made a birthday cake and played with all the new toys. Busy got a new bike but obviously with the torrential rain.... she has a party planned for this Sunday which may have to be postponed with the torrential rain.... town is completely cut off....


ANYWAY I am getting to the point now: 


The other night on twitter I was complaining about how RIDICULOUS Pass the Parcel has become. Since when does every child get a prize - as opposed to a red frog or something or NOTHING at all and the birthday child gets the big prize at the end??? I don't get this and I don't like what it teaches them. The birthday child already has loads of presents so then they win another one? 


Games are about playing them, it is fun to play games, there is not always a winner isn't it about joining in??  


Why are we constantly teaching them they need to get rewarded for everything? Like with kids' sport  how they all get a trophy at the end? I think that is over the top. I think they should get something to acknowledge that they have played well and participated in a team etc - like a certificate but a trophy? I think it's too much. 


I think we rely on it. I know this happens a lot in the first bit of school- with lots of rewards and stickers but I don't think it is necessary. Don't we want them to be well behaved because we ask them to be? Don't we want them to participate because its fun to play. Busy's preschool does not reward children for behaviour and the children are great. Their stance is we follow the rules end of story- I like this. I like that their are expectations and consequences for not following them but it's expected that you will. 


By teaching them that everything gets a prize or all good behaviour is rewarded are we teaching them to constantly expect praise? I think we are. I do not like it.


So after much discussion from this this this and this clever mumma we came up with some great alternatives to pass the parcel- we are doing cake decorating which was Busy's idea and we are going to read some books and maybe do some other craft or word games...


 But this clever cookie came up with the greatest tshirt slogan: SAY NO TO EGALITARIAN PASS THE PARCEL. 


What do you think??  Do you think children are over -rewarded??Praised over EVERYTHING?? too much praise? how do you handle it at your house?


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Four

Someone is Four today. We had a party on the weekend and I made Busy a new party dress. I sent some matching fabric over to the very talented Jennie at a Little Vintage and asked her to make a beautiful Busy doll. (Jennie has JUST moved across the ditch from New Zealand to Australia - Yay for us!!)  This is what she made us!

We love her so much, Busy is especially thrilled over the matching dress- AND the silver shoes just like hers ( YAY!!)

There was a whole lot of excitement about the prospect of chocolate cake covered in rarely ever consumed lollies!

It was a very quiet little party, 3 little buddies and a parent each. And an afternoon of kite flying at the park. She was "Princess Busy" for the whole day.

FOUR! Where does the time go.

We survived.

Well we made it. Busy is now 3. Phew! We haven't broken her.

I tried to make the Birthday a little bit handmade  but she was really wanting pink and fairies so we compromised:

I made her this dolly and a big log like we have on our bed which she always plays with :

 and a family of dogs, because at the moment everything is categorised into mummy, daddy and baby

... and she got a wooden balance bike - you know the ones without pedals- from Grandma-

We have been telling her for a while that when she turns 3 she will be able to see where fairies live:

 Beautiful fairy door via etsy from nothinbutwood-  I cannot recommend  it more- so beautifully made. She cannot open the door because only fairies can open it. ( one of those presents which chef asked who is this really for? )

We had a party yesterday- was great- tiring and stinking hot- we hired a jumping castle from the local toy library - it was a huge hit: ( note my compromise on the pink theme- tablecloth is pink as were  serviattes for the cake)

I made Birthday bunting - not as colourful as Nikkis- but will be used by the whole family for all our birthdays from now on- ( plus I wanted some neutrals in there somewhere!!!)

lovely linen from Amber over here

the fairies all took home little fairy bags with wands, sparklers, bubbles, a necklace and a bangle

BUT my most proudest of moments was the completion of the cake- which I made. Well actually maybe "make" isn't the right word- I "designed and assembled" the cake, Chef made me make the icing myself - I know shocking but true-  ( who knew- well my mum did  and thankgod she was up here to pass on this hot tip- you can buy plain sponge cakes at supermarkets- see you probably all new this... but I didn't) Anyway so here is one Owl cake:

Not bad for a second attempt. (In year 6 at school I came first in a cake decorating contest- I remember  because I think its the only time I have ever won anything! ) Clearly I was able to bring back those skills from yesteryear.

It was a great day and Busy and the fairies had a ball.

 And thankyou to everyone who sent birthday wishes to her. xx