New Years Eve with toddlers

[peanutter]

What do you do?

Pre kids, we used to host basically every year, for the average BBQ and backyard cricket which transitioned into drinking and debauchery and loud music with people crashing all over the house and back yard by sunrise ...

With kids, that doesn't really work ...

When DS1 was younger, he would sleep through most anything, so we just went out to someone else's party (with BBQ, cricket, a drink or two but limited or no debauchery) and we'd be home by 1 or 2 ...

DS2 didn't sleep properly until about 9 months old, so by NYE last year, he still wasn't really sleeping and we just stayed home, praying for sleep ...

This year, he's sleeping pretty well - but neither he nor DS1 are keen these days on, yanno, sleeping when there's even a hint of a hootenany in the background ...

So one option is to attend the BBQ and cricket and have a bit of a shindig but be home before it's too late for the boys to get to bed (8ish) or another is to see if anyone wants to come to ours for that sort of a thing - but knowing that the boys may well be Jack-in-a-boxing it up all night.

What do you do?

At the moment, I'm feeling like it's just another night, another party, and not worth upsetting the apple cart over...

[Jellyfish]

We just hang about at home! Let the kids have party poppers and some sparklers, make some fun food everyone can get in on like pizzas or nachos, special ice cream sundaes for the kids, play some board games like trouble or dice races or throwing bean bags into buckets then once the kids are in bed have something special for desert with DP and reflect on the year behind us and our hopes for the year ahead, share a midnight kiss or more... then promptly pass out to prepare for the 6am wake ups lol.

Kind of like a lot of our nights really in the end but we do it a lot because we like it and that's the point right? Enjoying it!

[Taurean]

We either do something at home and let the girls stay up late (9 or so - they usually sleep in) or head to a family event. We are going to the Zoo again this year which is Happy Zoo Year in Perth and it's awesome. BYO picnic dinner and drinks plus 4 hours of awesome entertainment and music. They do the countdown at 9pm and a small fireworks display. It's brilliant. We'll had home afterwards and put the cherubs to bed then probably continue with drinks in our pool - bliss!

[OceanPrincess]

DH and I have been debating this for the last few days. Last year we were down at my ILs beach house so it was decided already, we just hung out there and watched the TV special. The ILs went to bed at like 9 because the kids were exhausting them so it was just me and DH at midnight. We toasted and went to bed at 12.01 lol.

This year we've discussed having some friends round here... Going to a friend's house... But the kicker is the kids. All our friends have kids now. Varying ages. You take older kids somewhere, they don't sleep. Younger kids, they might sleep in your arms. But you can't do much at that point.

So we think we might just stay home.

Two years ago we got take away, some bubbly, a DVD, had quite a nice night.

Edit: Taurean, I want to come to yours for NYE

[feeb]

We had a few years post kids going to friends for a BBQ then leaving around 10pm As 1 hr drive home so kids generally fall asleep then transfer to bed.
Last year we went down to have dinner and Watch fireworks from water front at willy but couldn't really see them well.

This year not sure yet may try different local fireworks this year and good vans yumm for dinner and be home after 9 pm fireworks and kids to bed, dot and watch midnight ones on TV then bed!

Growing up my parents always had a number of friends over and had drinks food etc as being Scottish it's a big celebration. Parents now have a few friends older and much quieter do.

[Ladylove]

We only have the one toddler - at the moment - and I find it works best if we host the party. DD goes down and sleeps well - though the music can't be as loud as pre-baby - and even if she doesn't and arks up as she did when she was younger I feel more comfortable and relaxed if I am at home so even if I'm dealing with baby stuff I know DD is always more relaxed herself in her own home, own bed, thus so am I. I can still 'participate' in the party as I'm not pacing a strange house looking for somewhere people-free to settle my daughter.

[Mother Goose]

We've been discussing this too. I'm not a huge fan of big crowds so the city doesn't appeal to me. Dh and dd1 would love it though.

We would love to go to or have a BBQ but dd2 is not sleeping so well at the moment so sleep is precious. But I have find memories of nye bbqs and parties growing up and loved them.

Last year we stayed home because dd2 was only a few weeks old. We discovered the locals here (only been here 18 months) set off a LOT of fireworks.
There are a couple of parks in our area with brilliant views of the city so we might have a picnic at one of those and watch the fireworks. Or might walk dd1 up to the park at midnight and let her watch them. Not sure yet.

[HotI]

MG, a picnic in the park and fireworks sounds lovely.

[Mumma T]

I am cancelling New Years celebrations in our house this year. Hubby is working til 8pm and DS will be in bed by 7pm so I am planning on just watching the tv with my glass of baileys and DH can join me when he gets home at 8.30pm.

I say just have a BBQ and let the kids run around, it's one night and they will sleep eventually

[AnyDream]

We often have a quiet one, then we do a barbecue with friends on New Year's Day. That way the kids get to run around with their little friends & no one is overly tired or cranky (including mummy & daddy)

[~Hestia~]

We take the boys to the family night on the waterfront, fireworks at 9pm and home for DVD watching until midnight That's if DH isn't rostered on.

[Tinks]

I say just have a BBQ and let the kids run around, it's one night and they will sleep eventually

That's what I'd do.

[Mother Goose]

You're welcome to join us HotI!

[wysiwyg]

Last year we went to a local park which has a great view of the city - it was fantastic, it was nice and warm last year though (might be a bit chilly tomorrow but we are doing the same) - the park was full of families picnicking, playing and enjoying themselves. We are armed with glow sticks a bubble machine, a few balls and warm clothing. We can walk there so we take the double buggy and enforce an afternoon nap and the kids last till midnight. In the UK I was never that fussed about NYE (after all is cold) but here have done something every year - first year with DD we went to docklands - it wasn't that busy then, then the next two we had a party in my brothers apartment on Southbank - the toddlers either had a nap or lasted, and then last year the local park (my brother changed jobs so didn't have the apartment).

[peanutter]

We got some pretty cool outdoor prezzies this year - a free sandpit, a foot pump foam rocket, and glow in the dark bubbles ... I think we'll do an afternoon/evening picnic at home and see if we can get out this year

Our crew's party is going to be in Abbotsford which is just too far in NYE traffic.

[Emma09]

We have a BBQ in our street (it's a court) complete with basketball ring up one end and jumping castle up the other.
DD never lasts till midnight, so we take all the kids to my place to watch a movie, then the adults take turns to supervise.

[Ladylove]

We have a 7:30 am flight on NY day plus I'm up the duff so this year we are eschewing all parties, including hosting one.

[~TT40~]

The 'big smoke' near us is having a big festival family thing, free rides and entertainment and fireworks etc... It is half hr drive from us, and we get all excited and keen to go, but come this evening when Spock is normally winding down we will probably shrug it off and can't be bothered...and will be a normal night except staying up late. Which sucks, cause I like it to stand out and be different. Will have to think of something for dh and I to do just us at home...hmmm