controlling my need to control...

I wonder, as a mom, why I sometimes have a hard time just sitting back and letting my girls become their own person. I struggle with this the most with Kynlea because she is so opposite of what I am. I struggle to find the balance between what I want for her and what she wants. I often struggle just trying to figure her out. I love her so very much, I just don't always know what is the right thing to do for her.

My baby princess is turning three in one month. I love love love my kid's birthdays-they are my favorite days of the year-I love planning and throwing them the parties that they want. I've been accused of going overbored, but I just love to do it!

Emi has never had a store bought cake-wait-I take that back...when she was three, she had a strawberry shortcake party and I bought a cake-she still reminds me that I didn't love her at her third bday and that's why I bought her cake...Emi loves bday parties as much as I do-she gets way into it-comes up with fabulous themes, and we have a great time planning-she is such a princess-I've raised her well-LOL!

Kynlea could not be more opposite! She HATES attention! Doesn't like too many people, doesn't like too much noise, doesn't want to open gifts in front of people...she is so anti-party! I first saw this at her first birthday when she completely melted down and my mom ended up hanging out with her in the pool alone because Kynlea couldn't deal. It took 3 days to get her gifts opened-she was not even a little impressed. Last year was no different. She loves Elmo, so we planned a huge sesame street party, had her favorite balloon guy make her Elmo balloons, played games, etc-again she hated it! Wanted no part of the attention-she may have been tramatized...

This year her heart is set on having a Go Diego Go party. She loves him-not Dora, Diego. So I sit, planning a "boy" party, that is low on the party like elements, and trying to make it the perfect party for my anti-princess. Although in my heart I want to go all out, I will listen to my little girl and plan a party that SHE will love. Complete with a bouncy house, a chocolate Diego cake, some fruit, no meat, no games, minimal decorations, and a very low key time that will not cause my baby girl any stress. I will fight my instinct to make her the center of attention that day and just let her play. It will be perfect for her.

And in September, when Emi turns 8, I will go ALL out ;-)