reader question of the week


Since we took a mid-week question, I'm only posting one reader question this week. Don't forget that our Layer Cake giveaway deadline is Monday at midnight! Get in your submission now.

reader question of the week:

"I was wondering if you had any ideas for an alien-themed party? On a family trip this summer we stopped in Roswell, New Mexico and visited the Alien Museum and other alien things there. Well... my soon to be 7 year old son now wants an alien party, any suggestions?  I am at a loss. Thank you, Kim"

waiting for inspiration




I spotted a link to Wovenplay on Simple Lovely today and it got me thinking once again about what I am going to do for G's Halloween costume. I feel the need to have something semi-homemade and totally creative, but nothing I've seen or thought of has either felt inspired or achievable. 

Since I'm most likely going to be in the hospital with my newborn second baby, I am going to be dependent upon my husband and his brothers to dress little G and take him around. Which means not only do I have to have something simple enough for them to execute and wearable enough for G not to take off - but it has to meet their approval. I have been given a hard time for not putting G in a 'manly' enough Halloween costume last year (he was the cutest little bee in the world- don't get me started on the absurdity of this conversation), so yet another factor to consider is the 'manliness' of the costume. If I weren't in the hospital I would probably dress him in a princess mermaid costume just to mess with them, but since I will be bed-bound, that isn't an option. 

I think I'm also making the costume a bigger deal then it needs to be, because I'm wrapping up all the emotions of having a second child in G's life, and wanting to make sure he still feels important. Lastly, I think it's the last year where I can dress him with little to no input from him. Oh vey. I'm considering sponsoring a contest to send your most creative Halloween costume ideas so I can copy one of you brilliant readers!

And speaking of contests- don't forget to enter the Layer Cake giveaway! The lucky reader will be announced next Tuesday.

oh, birthday presents...

'Tis the season of summer birthdays...and the same question for me always comes up: what do I buy a ____ year-old ____ (boy, girl)? And how much do I spend? The answer to this question varies wildly (obviously depending on age, gender), and the money question always leaves me stumped. For me, I think the standard birthday gift varies between $15-30, depending on who it is going to, the age, etcetera.

A friend recently relayed that her 2-year old had received a $50 gift certificate for her birthday from a non-family friend. She didn't seem at all phased. I think my internal jaw dropped, however - is that really what people are spending on presents these days? Even for a good friend's child, that seems excessive, no? What do you spend on presents? Any money-type of question is a personal one, I know, but I certainly hate to be the chintzy one! Do tell.