Celebrate

a guide to sirochahs

continued from page B6

Sara Langnas does her sister Leah's nails.

Rhonda Mostyn of Wixom is another mom well-versed in the virtues of birthday party
maximization. Her son, Dylan, is 7, and her daughter, Brooke, is 6. At her children's
school, Wixom Elementary, it is very popular to have birthday celebrations in class. "It's
actually more economical," says Mostyn. "You bring in cookies or cupcakes, and then
find something from the dollar store or Party City to do as an educational goody bag,
like cute stencils or rulers, a notebook
or pencils."
As she points out, with 28 children
in a class, it can still add up.
Mostyn also enjoys giving her
children birthday parties outside of
school, and looks for places that
are fun, provide a lot of services and
are economical. Between nieces and
nephews, neighborhood friends and
family, a party can easily be 20-25
kids, plus some adults.
"I have found some of the best
deals at Pump-It-Up in Wixom, where
they have big blow-ups, like moon-
walks, basketballs, slides and others
that kids can jump around in," she
4
says. "The nice thing is, it is the same
price, $250 for two hours, whether
there are two kids or 25, and they set
everything up and include invites.
"It's a great unisex party idea, and
good for ages 8 or 9 and under. You
Leah Langnas celebrates!
can even order pizza, cake and favors
through them for a little extra."
Other fun and reasonable spots are
Langan's in Farmington Hills and All-
Star Lanes in Walled Lake for bowling parties, Jungle Java in Farmington Hills, a Chuckie
Cheese-like experience for the under-6 crowd, and The Putting Edge in Novi, offering
putt-putt and an arcade.
Mostyn had a joint party last year for both Dylan and Brooke at Pump-It-Up. "I'm see-
ing more and more people combining their children's parties. It's just more economical,
rather than three months later," she says.
"My kids each wanted their own party, but I explained it to them, and told them they
would have their own cakes and goody bags, and that we could then do a more special
gift for each of them."
In a few years, the two will share the ultimate birthday party: a b'nai mitzvah at Adat
Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills when Brooke is 12 and Dylan is 13.
Whether at home or at a party venue, remember that it's not the money spent on the
party that your child remembers. It's the fun and enthusiasm you give it.

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celebrate! I

March 2009