[Aliantha]

We usually just have family parties for our kids birthdays, and it's generally a word of mouth thing that whoever wants to come should do so, but bring a plate if you do. No presents unless you really can't help yourself, and then it should be something small. We've let them have a party for their birthday in grade one, but even that is in the yard with old fashioned games, which is what Max will get in a couple of years, then they get another one when they turn 13, and that can be somewhere else. Aden chose half a dozen friends and did an adventure climb thing with abseiling and stuff like that. Mav actually forwent his party for some reason, but we still had a family thing at home for him.

The next one they get from us will be 18, and that will be at home too, so we can keep an eye on them and how much they might drink! (18 is the legal drinking age here)