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birthday party ideas

MommyTalks: Getting Back to Birthday Party Basics

July 4, 2017 By Lena

Many mothers are excellent birthday party planners. They develop an age-appropriate theme and source out coordinating invitations, party décor and a local venue. The exact sequence of the party is documented in a flow chart, complete with plan “b” (and even plan “c”) options. The equivalent of a car payment is spent on party food and gift bags.

I am not one of those mothers.

Don’t get me wrong, I wish I was. My kids would probably like me more if I knew all their friends’ names (I don’t), could effectively execute a 20-kid extravaganza (I can’t) and was willing to spend a small fortune in an effort to keep up (I’m not).

So instead, they have me – a loving, doting mother who avoids all mentions of birthday parties until the kids bring it up.
This year, the kids surprised me. When the subject finally came around, they insisted on simply having a few friends over for a backyard birthday party. At first, I was taken aback – you mean we don’t have to invite everyone in the class? We don’t have to rent out the local Bounce ‘n Play?

However, the more we chatted, the more it made sense to me. At ages nine and seven, they had already established deeper friendships with a few classmates, allowing them to select those they wanted to celebrate with. And, I believe there’s something more intrinsic at play: boys have an innate desire to show their friends where they live, their possessions, their lifestyle. Finally, with so much time spent indoors in front of electronics, it feels good to connect with friends outdoors, where kids can burn off energy and enjoy seasonal activities. So, I agreed that they were each allowed to invite 3-4 friends, and I would take care of the rest. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #mommytalks, allen's, birthday party ideas

Cineplex Popcorn Parties: The PERFECT Way to Celebrate

July 23, 2016 By Lena

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Let’s be real: if I’m calling something perfect, you know it’s got my stamp of approval.

Cineplex Popcorn Parties. A couple of weeks ago, I filled you in on the ins and outs of this fun, affordable and entertaining service offered by Cineplex Cinemas. Having received countless invitations for the standard indoor playground, I was determined to do something a little different for my boys’ combined birthday party. And, after researching Popcorn Parties, I realized that it’s an easy way to round up kindergarten and primary-aged children for a fun birthday celebration.

Go ahead and check out my last post. It details what Cineplex Popcorn Parties are all about. Today, I’m here to show you why Popcorn Parties are the perfect way to celebrate your child’s next birthday, milestone or special occasion.
DSC_10151. The Kids Are Alright. If there’s one thing I fear most… even more than hairy spiders, confined spaces or hairy spiders in confined spaces… it’s a gaggle of children, running around and screaming. I think that’s why I shy away from the traditional backyard parties or playground celebrations; it causes me too much stress to oversee kids while they work through a sugar rush. If you’re like me and would prefer for kids to look but not touch, a Cineplex Popcorn Party is the answer. You decide a) if you want to rent out a party room before or after the movie, and b) how much time you spend in the party room during your allotted time slot, if you go that route. The rest of the time, kiddos are comfortably ensconced in a movie theatre, munching on delicious snacks while being heartily entertained.

It’s my idea of party perfection. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: birthday party ideas, Cineplex, Cineplex Popcorn Parties

Let’s Make it a Popcorn Party!

July 8, 2016 By Lena

Having two boys in the primary grades at elementary school, we’ve done the birthday party circuit a time or two… or twenty-eight.

That’s right. Between Ryder and Reid, twenty-eight invitations have made their way into our home this past school year. And don’t get me wrong; I’m thrilled that they’ve been included in the celebrations of their peers, as social acceptance is high on the list of desires for a 6- and 8-year old. However, not so thrilling is the standard script: snacks, cake and an hour or two at the local indoor playground, featuring a bouncy castle nirvana.

You know I could never adhere to the standard script.

I began thinking, what do my boys love? Well that’s easy – they love movies. And, I was willing to bet that their classmates loved movies too! Yet, in all the invitations we’ve received over the past school year, not one had been for a movie theatre party. What’s up with that? It seemed like the perfect solution (food, friends and fun entertainment of the less-rowdy variety) and I was determined to learn more about what was offered.
popcornparties_655x250_en2So, I began researching Cineplex Popcorn Parties. And I decided – within minutes – it was perfect for Ryder and Reid’s combined birthday bash.

Do you have a child’s birthday around the corner, and you’re looking for a fun, affordable alternative to an indoor playground? Listen up, because here’s how Cineplex Popcorn Parties will help you flip the script, too. …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: birthday party ideas, Cineplex, Cineplex Popcorn Parties

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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