It's funny; my birthday growing up was so not like anything we do today. I come from an Italian family of nine. The last thing my mom needed was to throw lavish parties for all of us. She was much too busy cooking and cleaning. On our birthday, my mom would cook a big five course dinner followed by the birthday cake which of course was an Italian rum cake!

I can remember one year being invited to my first kid birthday party at a neighbor's house. The mom served one of those boxed cakes. It was strawberry with strawberry frosting with red sugar crystals mixed inside. I thought it was the most delicious cake I had ever eaten. From that moment on I began to arrange my own parties. I remember walking to the supermarket all by myself to buy chips, orange soda and a cake mix of my choice. I would call my friends to come into my yard and I would have my party.

I'm now a mom to two beautiful children; and believe me I've certainly made up for the lack of lavish birthday parties. I've done it all, the clown, the magician, the piñata and favors. I loved planning it all but when it was all over I would realize that I did not see my kids blow out their candles or hit the piñata. I was to busy running around getting a drink for this person or a spoon for that person. I missed everything not too mention it would take me days to clean up the mess.

Last year, I gave in, and had my kids' birthday party at a popular recreation place. I was thrilled that I would finally relax and enjoy all those memories that I had missed in the past, so I thought! I was sharing the place with at least five other families, the whole time I was wondering where my kids and their friends were. When it was time to sing “Happy Birthday,” we all went into this room with plain walls and an in personable hostess. They served artificial pizza and flat soda along with a little sheet cake. At the end of the party we were all given plastic favor bags filled with little plastic trinkets. My children said it was fun but it didn't feel special.

I, like many mothers felt the same; they would have their birthdays out of the house because, how many times can you rent a moon bounce and clean up cake off your rug? I decided to open Sugar Plum Parties and offer all that's missing from a lot of the larger chains. A birthday that's imaginative, fun and personable without all the stress. Sugar Plum offers private, elegant, all-inclusive parties that will leave lasting memories with you, your child and all her guests.

Making my dream, and your birthday wishes come true!