While we might not always throw a big birthday party for our kids every year, we still celebrate their special day with family and always have cake or cupcakes on hand. On occasion, we have hosted parties and have invited their friends from daycare and school. Those are the times when I go all out with birthday party decorations and custom designed invitations. Milestone years such as turning ten will be another reason to throw a big party because double-digits are a big deal. Am I right?

This year, I decided not to have a big party for my daughter. She turned nine last month and, the procrastinator that I am, I always leave party plans to the last minute. Thus, trying to organize a party in mid-summer when many of her friends are at camp or up at the cottage makes it a little frustrating. Though, I swear I will get my act together one year and have invitations ready to hand out by the end of the school year. We did manage a get-together with an old friend of mine and her two daughters, and we had a fun time bowling. Later that day, we were surprised with a special delivery from Walmart - a maple-themed gift card for the birthday girl! She couldn't believe it when I told her she could use it to buy anything she wanted. And by 'anything,' I was referring to most items on her wish list with the exception of stuffed animals, of course.

Her first ever shopping spree would have to wait a few days, however, since I was busy the following day  planning a last-minute getaway to Blue Mountain that included a day at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures. The good news is there's a Walmart Supercentre in Collingwood a mere ten minutes from the resort. With my son nodding off to sleep early on our second night and my husband ready to hit the hay, my daughter and I headed out to Walmart to do what girls do best - shop! Plus, the store was open till 10pm so we had lots of time to browse. We loaded up our cart with skipping ropes, a hula hoop, and crafts galore. She also picked out some things for her brother such as stickers, Pokémon cards and an activity book featuring his favourite Disney Junior character Jake. I thought it was really sweet that she thought of him but I wasn't expecting her to cover the cost of the Gilette razors and shaving cream I needed to pick up for my husband. I said it wasn't necessary at all but she insisted. That's my girl!