Two birthdays and a baby due - what to do?

So, DDs will be turning 4 and 5 in May. Until now we have avoided the whole birthday party thing, with their birthdays each year being a combined gathering of DH's family on the closest weekend to both their birthdays with presents, birthday cake etc, and then my folks on their actual day with presents, more birthday cake, favourite dinner or lunch, usually after visiting the zoo, small animal farm etc. Last year they got introduced to the wonderful world of the kid party thanks to DD1 going to kindy, and so I promised they could each have a kid party for their next birthday, ie this year.

Fast forward to now and baby no. 3 is due in May. Both DDs were late so I'm not expecting anything different this time but even so I'm not sure how much I'm going to want a house full of little kids and all their parents TWICE when I'm ready to drop. I don't want to do a combined kid party for them because I feel they are entitled to their own party - its not their fault their birthdays are so close and it irks me no end that DH's family combine their day (don't get me started on that one!)

So, hit me with your suggestions of parties outside the house where I just hand money over to some lovely person who does all the hard slog for me, or alternatively something really low maintenance that we can have at home. I'm new to this whole party thing and don't know what is expected these days. I don't want a Hungry Jacks or similar party.

Thanks.

Are there any indoor play centres near you? Chipmunks or the like? They often do parties and you just turn up and pay.

There is one glenny but its really only for toddlers. Pretty basic sort of stuff.

I guess that's a question too - how far would you be prepared to travel to take your child to a party? We live in the outer burbs, so anything that's not "right here" is a good 20 minute to 30 minutes away (and I'm sure there would be much better play centres around too at that distance). Too far?

^^ I would travel for up to that long for a party. I have travelled up to 45 mins for a gf sons 1st b'day

Lulu I'm sharing your dillema, I have 2 boys born on the same day.

Not sure how you are going to work it but I plan to alternate between years, so one year one has the party with friends etc, the other just has family, the next year its the others turn.

But for ideas I had my son's at the local pool/indoor leisure complex do you have something like that near you and do they run parties?

My sister has 2 boys, who are 2 years and 2 days apart. She has always given them a kids party on alternate years, but they still make a point of a cake and presents just within the immediate family for the child who doesn't get a party that year, on the actual day.

Is there someone who can help you hold a party at home ? I was planning Kameron's 5th birthday which was to be held at home. Ashton was due 2 weeks later. On the invitations I wrote in the event of an early labour the party will continue with thanks to other family members. Kameron insisted all through my pregnancy that Ashton too would be at his birthday party. He was right. Ashton was 2 weeks old the day of the party.

Thanks everyone. I know I would make it so much easier for myself if I split the years so one had a party this year and one next year, but I'm not sure at their age if they will understand why one misses out IYKWIM.

Kathryn - that's pretty cute. I personally would find it easier to have a two week old bub rather than still be pregnant, but I don't like my chances - my girls seem to like keeping me waiting! I know Mum would help me out if I ended up having something here.

Hmmm. Things to consider. Thanks again for your thoughts.

I have no idea of the cost, but if you google kids party planners, there's a couple in Perth. They may be able to do a deal for 2 parties.

Thanks. Will check them out.

like L&B said there are often companies that will come to your house and host the parties, some will cater too, it depends on the $$ you are willing to spend. A number of them have themes and will bring dress ups and games with them.

A girlfriend in adelaide hired a rec centre and the kids got use the basketball court, indoor cricket ct, indoor soccer court and the beach volleyball room. The beach volley ball room they could use as a sandpit, all they had to bring was buckets/spades for the sandpit, food and drinks the rest of the equipment was there. If you were doing this I would consider combining them to save money and the more children the better when it comes to sports

or rope in some family and friends to help, teenage nieces and cousins or friends teenage daughters may be interested in earning some pocket money to play hostess to and arrange games etc with the kids and you could bake now and have most of the food reday in advance and frozen or buy food that only needs to come out the packet.

good luck

I have just booked a 5th birthday party at Bunnings! That's right Bunnings. They do a craft activity, face paint, play in playground, some party games and have a party coordinator and then all you have to do as a parent is bring some simple non heating party food and a birthday cake. It goes for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. And it costs.....$0! So maybe worth checking out if your local store does them.