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How to Make 3 Year Old's Non-Party Birthday Special
DH's family rents a cabin on a lake in Michigan every year. This year the in-laws chose my daughter's birthday weekend for the lake weekend. I would have rather had her birthday at home, but whatever, I wasn't consulted and I don't want to start World War III in the family by not going up to the lake.
Anyways, it will just be me, my husband, my daughter, MIL, FIL, SIL, and SIL's baby at the lake. My daughter is turning 3, so of course she doesn't care that she won't have a big party, and she'll be happy to be at the lake. But I still want it to be a really special day for her. I already have to resort to store-bought birthday cake this year, which kills me, though I'm sure Claire won't mind. 
Any fun birthday surprises that you can think of that I can implement up at the lake? Or birthday games that would still be fun even though it will just be adults playing with the three-year-old? I was thinking of having balloons in her room when she wakes up...
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Re: How to Make 3 Year Old's Non-Party Birthday Special
I love the balloon idea. Put up some streamers or a banner. My kid is also turning 3. He randomly asked for party hats and now can't stop talking about them. So get some fun party hats, or get some plain ones and have everyone decorate their own.
We just celebrated our DD's 3rd birthday a week ago.
I was in a similar situation with no party because I'm due any day now.
We are having a small bday party in Sept. when my MIL gets here.
It was more frustrating for me to not be able to plan her party near her birthday....she could care less!
I think the buildup to her bday was the most exciting part for her. Its fun to have them at an age where they can understand whats going on. I marked it on the calendar and had her count down to it. Every night tucking her into bed we would say "In 5 days your going to be THREE! A big girl!!"
We filled the whole living room floor with balloons (buy a balloon hand pump to take with you! Walmart for $3) and had paper lanterns hanging everywhere. She woke up and ran into the living room to see her presents in the middle of all the balloons. She was thrilled. My parents where there too.
We went out to breakfast and she got to pick what ever she wanted. 8am and the kid asks for french fries and fresh fruit. It was hilarious...and that's what she got.
She also had a birthday pin and crown to wear through out the day which she loved (I made her's but they have the pins at Walmart). We went to a party supply store and she picked out some paper plates and cups, blowers and hats to have with her cake.
She just had so much fun being included in the planning. Hope this helps!
I'm sure you will make it special for her!
When I was a kid, we had family parties and there were no other kids, but what made it fun was simply having some balloons, a cake with a design I picked out, and of course presents!
I really wouldn't worry about this too much. Get some balloons and party hats, have a cookout and then sing happy birthday to her. Have her come to the store with you to pick out the design on the cake. I'm sure she'll be excited.
I knew you girls would have some great ideas!! The decorating party hats idea is so perfect because she is obsessed with party hats. LOL. And that's something everyone can do and have fun with. I'm even going to bring what's known as the "herpes of craft supplies" = glitter!!
OK, I'm feeling better about this.
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A lake house is the perfect place for glitter!
My stupid town had 6 party hats in 5 different stores. SIX! I googled and found a bunch of easy templates to make your own. If you live in civilization I'm sure you can find some plain ones.
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Decorating, baking, picking dinner. How about a birthday dress or outfit?
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