In 1 month

I will have a 5 year old. It hardly seems possible because it still feels like yesterday we were waiting for the day. I've got to start planning a party soon. This year is going to be more than just immediate family and it will be the first that he invites friends. To be honest, I don't like the whole games, scheduled and structured parties. I've never had one and I don't know where to start with it. Since his birthday falls so close to labor day weekend, we usually just have a cookout, have some family over and have cake and ice cream. This year it will be the same, but there will be kids here and I'm not sure what to do. I'd like to keep it the same, and just let them play and have fun outside. A few people told me though we have to do games because that's what kids parties are all about. Do I really have to? I don't wanna!
Anyway, also in a month, I *should* be at the beach. D has scheduled his vacation for the first week in September, and he is off from the 29th and won't go back till the Tuesday after labor day. We're planning on a week trip to the beach. We really need that trip away and time to relax as a family without all the obligations at home. I'm really looking forward to that. Now more than ever, I really hope this cycle works because I do not want to have my period for that trip. Especially if it's like this one. It has me down for today at least. I've got some things done but I have to keep resting because these cramps are horrible. I'm going to get something for lunch and then we might try to go to the park or something to get some fresh air. Maybe that will help.