Alesya Bags

Last week my daughter turned two.  We weren’t going to have a party because we don’t have any family in South Carolina.  But then we decided we just do something “small” with our friends in the neighborhood.  Just cake and ice cream.

I should know myself better than this.  Every time I have a party I just can’t “throw it together” or “keep it low-key”.  It’s not in my DNA.

Cake and ice cream turned into lemon and vanilla homemade cupcakes with matching paper cups, light yellow spring M & M’s (two on each cake) and Bluebell ice cream cups in chocolate and vanilla.  There were light yellow large containers of M & M’s, yellow bubbles, two dozen yellow balloons and all the paper products were yellow and white.  I found yellow pots for my white flowering potted plants.  And, I’m slightly embarrassed to tell you, I bought three sets of candles to find exactly the shade of yellow I wanted.

My daughter got a new yellow and white birthday outfit – white tee, yellow skort and yellow polka dot barrettes. Here presents were wrapped in matching paper and ribbon.  The card was yellow.  And in case she forgot it was her birthday, she also had cupcake stickers.

She has a great time at the party with all our friends.  As the “only” right now she just loves having other children around.  We were so grateful to everyone who came over and made her day a real celebration.

Today (almost a week later) I’m thrilled we had the party.  Great memories, happy kid.  But that night I was wiped out.  And it pretty much put me behind for the rest of the week.  Emails didn’t get returned.  Cold calls didn’t get made.  I was tired.

I’m wondering if this is work/life balance?  Or maybe it’s just life?  Either way, I’m becoming “OK” with it.  Tired sometimes, but always thrilled with the outcome.  Works for me.