Week #42 of 52: Birthday Parties Are the Best Mommy Breaks

Yes, I said it… birthday parties (that is drop off parties) are the best mommy breaks. Drop off birthday parties give you an opportunity to have a solid 90 minutes to go do something. The challenge is to not fill the time with mundane to do list items like Target runs and grocery shopping. Now, some parents do feel obligated to hang around and help out the host mom… but not me. No offense, but at the point that the hosts include on the invite “feel free to drop off your kids”, I assume that they have a plan to manage the party and the kids. I am new to the drop off party scene as my daughter just entered the 1st grade and as we all know they typically are less popular the younger the kids are.

My 7YO had a birthday party this weekend (my 5YO was spending quality time with my husband... the WHOLE day #winning). I was battling post flu shot symptoms but had a competing grocery shopping list and a daughter who really wanted to go hang out. The week had quickly flown by and I knew the birthday party would be the only opportunity to take a mommy break. So I got her settled and I dashed out of the bowling alley as soon as I could. My mind was already working to figure out what I can do to fill the time. I didn’t really have a true plan but I did know that I needed to start experiencing my 12 Days of Mommy Breaks before the end of the month so I headed over to Embellish Boutique.

My initial plan was going to fit 5 different stops but I often have an unrealistic view of how much time I really have. Originally, I wanted to go to Costco get some gas, stop at Ulta to pick up some new OPI infinite shine polish, head over to Embellish, stop by Benefit Cosmetics, and end it with a stop at Sweet Mandy B’s. That doesn’t sound like too much for 90 minutes does … LOL (yes I know it does). After a few long lines at Costco Gas and Ulta, I knew realistically, I only had time for one MAYBE two stops, so I headed over to Embellish. It is such an awesome boutique. Fabulous accessories from jewelry to hand bags and hats and scarves. It is located in the Ravenswood/North Center neighborhood which is so awesome and family-friendly. The visit there secretly left me wanting to me move out of my own neighborhood. I treated myself to a super cute pair of earrings, thanked the owner for partnering with the Mommy Break Project and dashed out of there to head over to Sweet Mandy B’s. Sweet Mandy B’s is my FAVORITE bakery. All of the desserts take you back to the homemade desserts your mom would make when you were a child AND the cupcakes are to to die for! I was pretty much in heaven and still had time to get back to the party to pick up my daughter.

CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT DROP OFF BIRTHDAY PARTY... BRING IT ON!

I wish I could have a taste of it all but my waistline would be mad that I am undoing all the hard work.  But its ok to have one (ok maybe 2 or 3) cheat days... (joking... not really). — I wish I could have a taste of it all but my waistline would be mad that I am undoing all the hard work. But its ok to have one (ok maybe 2 or 3) cheat days... (joking... not really).