Day before Friday randoms

[jessila]

It's Bring Your Child to Work Day so I'm waiting for my mom to come with O...and lunch!

[carolyngrace]

purple sounds like the diapers themselves must be different. Most I've seen require drying in a dryer multiple times to "bulk them up" at the beginning.

I decided to do FB invites for Os birthday and just mail a few generic cards to those not on FB...

[alayne926]

Good morning!

Got a decent sleep lastnight, and DH decided to keep DS at home today for a "daddy day". Only had to get S to school and myself to work.

We have a rep coming to bring us lunch and only one patient today. The doctor and I played around on FB looking at videos and goofing off. Probably should get some actual work done at some point.

[ashbash]

Apr 28, 2016 10:56:06 GMT -5 purple said:

Are clothes lines uncommon? I don't think I've ever seen a house without one. Tumble dryers are not common over here. We have a washer / dryer, but we hardly ever use the dryer because it makes the clothes smell funny. In the winter we use clothes horses, but line dried is much nicer.

I am completely stunned that some of you dry your nappies in the tumble dryer. Over here the advice is that you must never tumble dry nappies because you'll damage the waterproof layer and affect the absorbency. Most nappy manufacturers include a clause to the effect that you forfeit the warranty by using a tumble dryer.

Also, I don't know what you're doing to your clothes / nappies that they feel rough after air drying. That's never been my experience in almost 39 years of life! I suppose the air quality might be different?

On the few occasions I've experienced tumble dried clothes, the main problem for me has been the smell. Tumble dryers seem to make things smell stale.

Cultural differences strike again!

In my experience they are very common in the more rural areas of the country but not in the cities because no space.

As for the diapers mine are always stiff if I only line dry, I swear they could walk off on their own. As long as you use the low/ no heat setting on the dryer they dont damage the waterproof layer. I never get a weird dryer smell but I use wool balls in the load and put a few drops of lavender oil on them. But nothing smalls as good as line dried

[beersandweirs]

Our Take Your Child to Work Day is for 8 years and older

[purple]

Apr 28, 2016 11:18:02 GMT -5 carolyngrace said:

purple sounds like the diapers themselves must be different. Most I've seen require drying in a dryer multiple times to "bulk them up" at the beginning.

I decided to do FB invites for Os birthday and just mail a few generic cards to those not on FB...

They must be different, then. Lots of nappies need to be washed several times when they're new, but generally the advice is that drying them between washes is superfluous because it would take too long.

Also, the usual advice for the most efficient way to strip wash nappies is to hang them on the line in the rain. That must be different, too! I haven't needed to strip wash yet, thankfully.

[pghtruelove]

Apr 28, 2016 10:25:21 GMT -5 @scoop said:

It's a slow day at work so I'm diving head first into birthday party planning. I really need to nail down a theme and stick with it.

I decided last night on no theme. I couldn't stick with one. I'm not sure how this is going to work either.

[3dimesdown]

Found some invitations I like while eating lunch. They're $3 each. EACH. WTF? I shouldn't have even looked at minted.

[holliberry28]

I'm having major anxiety about M's birthday party because of people's expectations. I KNOW they will judge that I'm cheap because I'm not closing the restaurant down for a private party. I mentioned before that we decided to do it in a Russian Restaurant to accommodate close to 50 guests, because our apartment is too small, even if we cut down the gueslist.

We are going to do a woodland theme. I have a cake and cupcakes in mind with the different forest animals: raccoon, deer, fox, owl..but I'm at a loss how to decorate the tables. It will most likely be 3 long tables. I was going to get balloon bunches in teal, orange, and yellow, but don't know how/where to put them. Any help would be appreciated!

I don't have to worry about food, because of the restaurant.

Should I feel bad that there will be no music or entertainment? I can't afford to hire a DJ/Magician/etc which is what Russian people expect.
Eta: I plan to send an evite.  Not good?

[alayne926]

holliberry28, I would think hiring someone for a restaurant party would not be expected, but that's my (Midwestern) opinion.

[alayne926]

We're just doing a pink & gold theme.

[Widget123]

holliberry28 I am not familiar with Russian culture, but hiring entertainment for a first birthday party sounds unnecessary and is not something I would do. However, I can get on board with actual print invitations instead of evites, although I am not going to bother with them because only immediate family members and close friends are going to our party.

ETA: The rest of your party sounds wonderful and appropriate from my non-Russian perspective

[ashbash]

holliberry28 lolno to paying for entertainment at a one years bday party. I get the cultural pressure though, my Indian inlaws wanted me to go all out for DD but I didnt want to soend the money and I knew she would be overwhelmed and not enjoy so I stuck to my guns. Do what is best for yall. If there will be kids it easy enough to bring a few buckets of toys and put a blanket down in the corner for them. Coloring for older kids.

For decorations the balloons sound cute! Just make them high enough so ppl can see each other across the table. You could print out a cute little animal to set on each plate tied to a small stick. Bunting like @kemdupius made is super easy and cute!

ETA because i thought of something else. People love newborn to one year pictures of the bday kid so you could print out like 20 of your favorite pictures of him and make a tree from poster board and have the pictures in the tree

[beersandweirs]

I have been somewhat successful in my mission. I have gotten a hold of both the garbage company and the city to see if there is anything we can do about having them pickup at a different time. How whiny and entitled does this make me sound? LMK

[beersandweirs]

Happy Birthday Joolschweets!

I feel so badly for forgetting my wife's birthday! I'll make it up to you

[holliberry28]

Happy birthday Joolschweets!! Wishing you lots of love, happiness, health, and sleep!

[veggiemo]

Apr 28, 2016 11:43:57 GMT -5 pghtruelove said:

Apr 28, 2016 10:25:21 GMT -5 @scoop said:

It's a slow day at work so I'm diving head first into birthday party planning. I really need to nail down a theme and stick with it.

I decided last night on no theme. I couldn't stick with one. I'm not sure how this is going to work either.

I don't do themes, it's NBD if you don't. For DS1's first I just did colorful balloons and a happy birthday banner. It was a pool party at my parent's house, out on the deck. We had pizza delivered and pop/beer. Everyone had a blast!

As I mentioned in the cake thread, as DS1 has gotten older he is more excited about a "theme" so he's told me he wants to do an "Avengers" birthday this year. I'll make him an avengers cake of some sort and buy some Avengers plates/napkins. Boom, theme.

[Widget123]

Random daycare story-- DD's main teacher when she was in the infant room, who has also watched Leo from time to time, is moving to Alaska. She has always been really friendly to H and I. Last week when I saw her I confirmed the day that she would be leaving and said that I was going to get her a card. She suggested that we become FB friends and I said okay and friended her. I still got the card (with a gift card) and gave it to H to give to her today. She posted a pic on FB and tagged me in it. Now I wonder if all of the other daycare teachers are also friends with her on FB and saw it, because I am not nearly as close with 99% of them. Oh well.

[Widget123]

Happy Birthday Joolschweets! I found this gif for you:

[jessila]

Apr 28, 2016 12:49:57 GMT -5 stcyct said:

jessila so jealous! My students always ask if there is going to such a day so they can meet LO

He only comes to my special ed school not to my general population school. There are too many (900+) germy kids there that might touch him. 

But he was a delight and snuggled with multiple staff members. I wish he could work with me every day...or that I didn't have to work?

[veggiemo]

purple definitely not super common here. I would say majority of folks just use their dryer. Especially where I am (Michigan), the weather isn't super friendly for line drying. Cold, long winters and unpredictable rain. But I'm going to try!

[musicfrk2002]

I bought way too much at JBF. I snagged one of those doors for $30. They had one for $25, but it didn't look like it had all the pieces. I have a 20% off coupon for BRU that expires tonight, so I guess I will have to head there today. Today is an expensive day apparently.

[sugarkissed]

Happy birthday Joolschweets!

[sugarkissed]

We went out on a date last night, and while it was awesome to spend time with DH... it didn't really feel like a break because we didn't leave until the kids were in bed, and still woke up with them bright and early.

SIL called this morning and asked me what date B's birthday party is and asked if I'd consider having it a weekday evening since June is pretty busy with weddings and dance recitals for them. Because loading kids with cake right before bed time always goes over well.

They always expect everyone to cater to their plans. If you are busy, just don't come? It's not like first birthday parties are that thrilling.

[sugarkissed]

Apr 28, 2016 14:06:59 GMT -5 @imapenguin said:

You know what's annoying? Having half a dozen quick errands to run and having to take the baby out of the car every single time. Also, why does the post office not have a drive thru?

So annoying.  I basically don't go anywhere now that I have 2 unless I absolutely have to. It's way easier to send DH on the way home from work.  

However, when I only have one kid for the day for whatever reason, I go everywhere because taking only one in and out now seems so quick.  Haha. 

[sugarkissed]

Really random, but any ideas for decorating a stroller to look like... a cupcake? Haha.

I'm doing a 5K fun run this weekend with B. The theme is cupcakes and sprinkles (there are cupcakes and a dessert bar at the finish line!) and they encourage costumes. I don't want to dress myself up, but think it would be cute if she fit the theme.

[purple]

Happy birthday, Joolschweets!

[purple]

Apr 28, 2016 14:22:45 GMT -5 budders said:

FIL gave the thumbs up on the house. Meeting with the realtor tomorrow to draw up a contract and put in an offer!

That's so fantastic! Congratulations!

Trying not to be jealous. It's beginning to feel as if we'll never move :-(

[dmoney]

Apr 28, 2016 11:51:01 GMT -5 holliberry28 said:

I'm having major anxiety about M's birthday party because of people's expectations. I KNOW they will judge that I'm cheap because I'm not closing the restaurant down for a private party. I mentioned before that we decided to do it in a Russian Restaurant to accommodate close to 50 guests, because our apartment is too small, even if we cut down the gueslist.

We are going to do a woodland theme. I have a cake and cupcakes in mind with the different forest animals: raccoon, deer, fox, owl..but I'm at a loss how to decorate the tables. It will most likely be 3 long tables. I was going to get balloon bunches in teal, orange, and yellow, but don't know how/where to put them. Any help would be appreciated!

I don't have to worry about food, because of the restaurant.

Should I feel bad that there will be no music or entertainment? I can't afford to hire a DJ/Magician/etc which is what Russian people expect.
Eta: I plan to send an evite.  Not good?

Don't Stress!! as long as you and DH love it that is all that matters.  I know that there is the stress to live up to everyones expectations but you can only do what you can do.  I remember seeing a friend from Middle School's son's 1st birthday party (also Russian) and it was insane. It looked like my Bat Mitzvah. I think doing what you are doing is going to be fine! If any of your family members start to give you any grief about not closing down the restaurant, or not having a DJ/Photographer I would tell them that if they want all of those things then they can pay for it.  Don't stress and call it a day!  We are also only sending out an Evite because paper invites cost money and were strapped for cash with DH not working.

[tiffbot]

DS was colouring on a diaper box as I was packing up clothes for storage in it so I just let him colour.

This is what he did. He was so proud of himself. "I colour his eyes and mouth mommy!!" Im not sure how I feel. Haha!
poof