Birthdays, birthdays everywhere ...

Birthday season is upon us in the Leung home. 3 of us have birthdays in Q4 (oct-dec). It's a crazy time of year especially with the holidays around the corner, too. There is never a lack of something to do in Q4.

So, with that, I must say my soon to be 3 year old daughter is keeping it interesting for me. First we planned this grand idea, since she and daddy have their birthdays 2 days apart and daddy is turning 40, that they would have a big Chinese themed birthday party. Or, better known as the dragon/panda bear party around these parts. We went to Chinatown yesterday to get Aitana's Chinese dress and we even got Gabriel a cutie little outfit. We search and search for things for decoration, but found almost nothing. I found some things online and I was going to order them ... then I thought twice and waited. I wanted to go to the party supply store.

So I went to the party supply store today and took Aitana ... maybe I was hoping she would inspire me to figure out what I needed. Chinese party supplies are limited this time of year. Apparently the moon festival isn't as big of a deal as Chinese New Year ... but I can't wait until January, I need the stuff NOW. But things were coming to me as I looked into the almond shaped eyes of my beautiful China doll and we were having a great time and I was thinking I was so happy I brought her. Until ...

I just about wanted to scream when I heard her say "I don't like red mommy, I like pink. I like princesses. I don't want a Chinese party! I want a princess and cowboy party!" AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I stopped dead in my tracks. I was lost, confused and exhausted. I haven't slept well in days and I have a lot of stuff on my plate ... then this bombshell. So I called the birthday boy and he didn't care. I called my parents to get their opinion and I just about cried. I didn't care that I was in everybody's way. I didn't care that I was talking too loud in the store. At that moment I wanted to cancel the entire party and climb under a rock and take a nap. But after taking a breath, I obliged.

Now, I normally wouldn't give in like that, especially not to a 3 year old. But, I must say, I was feeling a bit relieved that she changed her mind. The party store had everything I needed for a princess and cowboy party. Pinatas, decorations, everything. I would have to spend less money and I wouldn't have to make as much stuff from scratch ... like a panda bear decor. The food would be easier and cheaper. It was a better idea.

The birthday boy doesn't really care either way and that's fine. But how do you combine cowboy with princesses ... easy. Make everything pink and brown. Fabric is always a good solution because you have a lot of choices and you can easily mix and match girly with, well, cowboy. But I still have a feeling of melancholy ... I sent out Asian inspired invites. We got them Chinese outfits. Oh well. They will still go in their outfits ... I insist on that ... my Chinese Cowboy and Chinese Princess (although the princess refuses to wear her pink cowboy boots with her dress).

Like I said, I wouldn't normally give in to the whim of an almost 3 year old. I am not that kind of mama. I don't have the patience for kids who dictate how things will go. And Aitana knows this even if she tries to get away with it at times. But a decision this big, that is costing this much money, never. But it so happens it works out better for me, my time and my sanity. I'll have to teach her this lesson another day.

Next year ... a tiny party with just grandparents, godparents and her BFFs (and their parents too).