5.23.2006

And So Begins the Party Season

This time of year is so busy. J is turning 3 in just two weeks and my sister is getting married in two months. Not to mention graduations, baptisms, bridal showers, and more birthdays.

Two of my favorite women are growing up. J will no longer be a toddler, but a preschooler. And my sister is no longer among the single set. She will be a married woman and boy how things will change. I expect her to get pregnant right away. She thinks that because we're turning 30 in a few short months, that she's behind in the baby race. I keep telling her not to rush. Enjoy married life for a little while.

I've been debating for a while whether to bring J to the wedding. My sis wants her as a flower girl, but I think it's going to be a disaster. I just don't want to have to worry about her. I want to enjoy my sister's wedding. Of course, I am a glass-is-half-empty kinda girl, always assuming the worse. J could be an angel. She was surprisingly well-behaved at a communion a couple weeks back.

It's just ... this is my sister. My twin sister. My best friend in the whole world. The person to which I owe my entire personality. I mean, how could I be the person I am today without her? I want to be there for her, without interruption.

What do you think? I've been trying to get a babysitter to come and at least take her home for the reception. The problem is the wedding is about an hour away from where I, or anyone I know, lives. I am going to have to pay someone to travel. It's worth it, right?

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

totally worth it!!! maybe you should also try a trial run with the babysitter before the wedding so J doesn't freak out if she doesn't know the person!!

i think a getting babysitter to go to the wedding is a great idea!

Christina_the_wench said...

My daughter was in a wedding at 3 and we did that very thing. She was the flower girl, then my mom traveled 3 hours to take her away at reception time. It was worth it. BTW, my daughter still fondly remembers the wedding so it is a good childhood experience. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I agree with getting the babysitter for the wedding is a GREAT idea :)

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

I agree with the others. That way you can have your (wedding) cake and eat it too... and wash it down with a FULL glass of champagne.

chichimama said...

Yep. Get a sitter and bring her with you.

BTW, the comments don't show up in your permalink pages. I've been trying to figure out how to congratulate you on your new look and finally figured out to go to your main page instead of directly to the post page from bloglines....

Christina said...

I think you should bring her with you. But if the reception isn't too late, I say let her stay there, at least for part of it. There's nothing cuter than a preschooler on the dance floor, hopping around and having fun.

If the reception is late, then yeah, get a babysitter, but I still think you could let her stay for a few songs. That way she gets to dance a bit, and then you get some child-free time to dance, drink, etc.

What's so funny? said...

My brother's wedding was in a hotel (as most are). Since we didn't live in town, we hired a local friend's nanny to babysit. She drove with us to the wedding. We paid for the room. And then we could duck out of the wedding anytime we wanted to check on da bebe. And if people wanted to come up and see her, they could without disturbing the wedding.

Zephra said...

I would do it in a heart beat if i could find someone. It would be worth every penny it cost.

The Domesticator said...

I think that if you hired a sitter to bring her home (maybe a little while into the reception) you could have your cake and eat it too. This way, she could still be the flower girl, everyone could see her, she could do a little dancing, then leave before she gets tired and cranky. Then you and your husband can enjoy the rest of the night. I think the price would be well worth it.

Anonymous said...

I say, fork out the cash for the sitter. You won't be able to shake your groove thang and enjoy it chasing around J. Have a great day, come visit me!!!

~d said...

My oldest was a ring bearer at 4. His brother was 1 and was not even 'invited' to the wedding or the reception. However we 'let' the little one crash the reception. Today they are 6 and 3. The 3 yo wants to know why he isn't in the family picture that was taken. I have since put the picture away. Oh, and we DID have a sitter. We just released her early and took our baby to the reception.

Liesl said...

Absolutely. Get a sitter. It'll be better for you, and I sus[ect the whole wedding AND reception might be a bit much for a toddler. It's a win-win for both of you.

Stephanie said...

My daughter was a flower girl just this past Saturday. She did a great job, but before the ceramony I was a nervous wreck! The best part was the fact that my daughter had a blast at the reception. All the music, dancing and food kept her happy for hours. I would reconsider not bringing your daughter to the reception - that really is the best part!

Meg said...

My friend's 4 year old daughter (who is a horribly behaved child) was the flower girl in her wedding this weekend. She did surprisingly well, except for smashing ants and holding them up for me to see during the entire ceremony!

Definately try the babysitter thing. I know your sis really wants her niece there on her special day, but that would give you a chance to relax (and maybe have some drinks?) during the reception without worrying over your daughter.

Mama of 2 said...

I am a bit torn on how to answer. Little man has been in a couple of weddings but he was older (7 years old for one and 8 for the other) so I wasn't really chasing him around. But at the second wedding the flower girl was 4 years old and I have to say that she enjoyed herself very much. This was my cousins daughter so I can attest to the fact that she can be a pistol but she was well behaved and pleasant for the whole thing.

I would think that you would have to bring J for a little of the reception since there are things that require the entire wedding party which she is a part of.

I think if you would feel more comfortable getting a sitter and focusing your attention on your sister and her wedding that's something you should do. You could also ask your sister's opinion explaining how you want her day to be about her and you want to give her your full attention. It's a fine line I know but I'm sure you will make the right decision. Good Luck

Anonymous said...

I was a flower girl at 3.5 and I was good!! I was so excited to be a flower girl that I took all threats very seriously! I totally get why you would hesitate though, not wanting to be stressed. It is such a tough call!! Good Luck!

WOW! A preschooler, how weird is that??? Mine is turning two and I am freaking...3 seems so so old!!

Lena said...

Get a babysitter. This day will (hopefully!) only happen once and J won't know the difference.

Be able to be completely present for your sis.

MJ Tam said...

And you will be there for her completely and more (because of J).

To have your child be part of your sister's wedding sounds so wonderful and natural. Who else would best fit that role other than J.

If anything, I love taking my kids to weddings because I actually get to dance with them at the end of the evening.

Bring the babysitter, and enjoy your sister's wedding with J. :-)

Anonymous said...

When we got married we hired 2 babysitters to watch all the kids during the ceremony and intermittently during the reception. It worked out really well - so many parents thanked us afterwards, saying it was the first time they were able to enjoy themselves at a wedding.

Maybe you can find out if there is anyone else who is bringing kids to the wedding and split the cost of a sitter of two with them. It'll be worth the money.

Sandra said...

Your relationship with your sister sounds wonderful and it will be important to include J in that day. But it will be money well spent to have a babysitter help you out for the reception. That is what I did at my brother's wedding and I am so glad I did. Enjoy the party season!