CURLY AND CANDID

Kieran is now of an age when he gets birthday party invites. He himself hasn’t had a big party, we do a family thing, a day out etc because to be honest, organising a birthday party for a load of reception kids is like my personal idea of what hell must be like. The venue, the invites, the food, what type of party, who to invite (being careful not to leave someone out!), the entertainment, the goody bags…. so much could go wrong!

Boxes — Birthdays are all about playing with the boxes anyway aren't they?

I went to a party for a five year old last week and it was brilliant! It was in a local community hall, there was an entertainer who did games, music, karaoke, a magic show etc and no-one was left out, the food was fab, there were loose balloons everywhere so kids could basically run around like lunatics should they so choose and still be occupied by said balloons… great stuff. But not for me.

Kieran will turn 5 is July and to be honest I have no plans to throw him a party. It’s expensive, time consuming and the worry that I’d not quite get it right would drive me insane!! he isn’t (yet) bothered about not having a party. We go somewhere special, make a big fuss of him, do the family thing, lots of treats (and cake) but that is it. When he’s older, if he wants to go bowling with a couple of his friends and Macdonalds afterwards, that is fine.

Will I make a social pariah out of him though, being a Mum who doesn’t do the birthday party duty? Do you? It seems like a hellish expense for one day – I’d rather spend some of that money on bigger gift. What do you think – birthday parties – do we have to?

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When Mr Postie brought me this package I was chuffed. Then I opened it, and went from chuffed to thrilled. It is gorgeous!

None of the sappy pale colours you get with some newborn gifts, this bright modern and quite frankly gorgeous design will fit in any nursery.

And it has owls! I have a thing about owls!

This calendar is A1 (59cm x 84cm), which is a good size but doesnt take over the nursery. I love this calendar because it is a permanent and visual record of all the many milestones and key events that take place during your baby’s first year.

For me the biggest plus point is that is easy! So easy that my four year old can use it….. and does! Kieran has been my baby for such a long time and when Taylor arrived I was a little worried about how he would feel, despite all the preparation. I needn’t have worried, as he has taken to being a big brother like a duck to water. It is Kieran’s “job” to help me record Taylor’s milestones and he loves the bright stickers, and oh so carefully placing them in the right places. When a friend visited recently he thoroughly enjoyed showing off “Taylor’s calendar that I look after”. How lovely for him to have this Big Boy/ Big Brother responsibility!

There are plenty of stickers for the usual events, first jab, first word etc but each day is a blank square that can be written on, personalising this calendar further. In addition to this there are spaces for you to put your own two photos and I think I will eventually have a newborn picture and a picture of Taylor at the end of his first year.

Such a unique and fun way to preserve these first precious months (which go so fast!) and at just £15 it is an absolutely perfect gift for new parents.

You can tell this product was designed and produced by parents as there is everything there that a parent with a new baby could want/need.

Importantly, the calendar incorporates a room thermometer and the Baby’s First Calendar website has some fantastic information from the FSID (The Foundation for the Study or Infant Deaths) on safe sleeping.

I really do love this product and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others, or buy it myself as a gift for others.

For more information and to purchase visit the Baby’s First Calendar website.

Birthday parties – do we have to?

Review: Baby's First Calendar- ideal gift!