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Flurry of 'non-party' fun leaves mom partied out
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Published: September 17, 2008
Two weeks ago my son turned 6. For the past two years I've vowed to avoid excessive birthday celebrations; but, guilt and desire for my kids' vote for Coolest Mom Ever overwhelms me. But this year I wasn't budging. My son is old enough to appreciate celebrating his birthday with family and friends, not bells and whistles. So we agreed to celebrate the event with grace and dignity.
Before I knew it, the festivities had spanned two weekends in two cities, consisted of two cakes and 24 cupcakes. It was the most exhausting "non-party" party of my life.
One week prior to my son's birthday, we visited family in Pittsburgh. You can't tell grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that they can't have a celebration when they won't be there for the birthday boy's actual big day — because, of course, we chose to move. So we had a nice get-together, and then headed to the local U-Haul to rent a trailer for towing home the gifts.
Fast forward one week. I suggested a Japanese steakhouse for Saturday night dinner because nothing would impress my son more than seeing a man do tricks with sharp knives. And while he was wowed, he was completely elated over the decorative cocktail umbrella in his drink. I could have bought a 50-pack of these for $8.
The next day was simple: Bowling with two friends, followed by cake and ice cream at home with the neighborhood pals. No games, no piñata, no inflatable bouncy castles. But inflation has affected gas and grocery prices, as well as the cost of a game and rental shoes. And you can't walk past the arcade with three wide-eyed kids in toe. Next stop, the token machine.
Back home, the kids arrived for a just-before-dinner snack of sugar, sugar and more sugar. In about 2.5 seconds, my house was a giggling, squealing, screeching, Category 5 hurricane of kids. We reeled them in for cake and then let them loose in the backyard. Everyone was gone by 6 p.m. and the birthday boy and his sister sat in the living room, arguing over who could play with the soccer figures from atop the cake. I could have purchased those for $2.50.
The kids were in bed by 9 p.m. and mommy was crashed on the couch. But wait. The next day was his actual birthday, and I promised cupcakes for school. I could delay the treats for another day. But doing that would keep the party going. And I wanted to finish the 6th birthday observance before he turned 7. So I headed to the kitchen to start baking.
When did kids' birthdays become so difficult? Next year, I'm vowing to not go overboard. But I'm going to hire a "non-party" party planner to coordinate the gig.
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