Kid Birthday Parties: Amazing or Annoying?

Wow. I had no idea how these kid parties worked. Aren't kids supposed to come over to your house, play, eat cake and call it a day? Oh, no, my friends. Not anymore. We certainly aren't attending these over the top $50k+ Beverly HIlls kid parties, but it's definitely not like the parties I went to as a kid.

My oldest son is in Pre-K and we have started to understand what one mom referred to at the begining of the school year as the "birthday party circuit". When I heard those 3 words even I got excited. I remember having so much fun at parties when I was a kid, that I was looking forward to my son having those same experiences. Cake, ice cream, games, gift opening, goodie bags, themed invitations - classic party at your friend's house, right? Wrong. Seemingly no one throws this type of party anymore.

Elaborate fondant cakes? No ice cream?!?! No games? Evites? The birthday boy/girl doesn't open presents at the party? And definitely not at your friend's house. Uh, what the hell is going on? We had sheet cakes from the grocery store (with ice cream), we played Pin the Tail on the Donkey, and it was awesome to see all the presents get ripped open! Now almost every party thrown is at a park with a bounce house and we got invited via e-mail.

After about 6 parties I have come to understand the new generation of Pre-K celebrations. You host a party for the classmates...their parents and their siblings. You invite everyone cause that's just common manners...but really...I pay for all the siblings, too? The answer is YES, unless you want to look like a cold-hearted, cheap bastard. So, all you Moms with babies, find a party hat, put it on and then get ready to hold the f#@% onto it in the next few years. You're in for a wild ride.

The parents make it complicated, but in the end all the kids have a great time. And by that I mean they all cry from having an overwhelming amount of fun and barf from too much cake. The one thing that does remain the same over the years is the most important - the kids have a blast & make memories with their friends.

2006 or As I See It; 3 B.K. – Let Me Explain

Can you even remember life pre-parenthood anymore? You know – B.K. – Before Kids. I think back to times when I was out with friends – even before I met my husband – and now I find myself wondering “Who was watching the kids when…” I was at that concert? That party? That spa day? That Bachelorette party in Vegas? That week long work trip? I know it’s totally not logical, but my head is so firmly set in Mom mode I can’t even picture life without my little birds.

Three years B.K. I was 26 and living a happy, full (so I thought), busy, single life. I worked out for 2 hours almost every day, spent time with family and friends not based on anyone’s nap time, my roommate and I bought groceries for ourselves (AKA wine and beer) and I worked a full time corporate job without contemplating the cost of 8-5 preschool. So carefree, right?! I was my own responsibility – that’s it.

My mind – my world – is now so consumed (in the happiest way) with these boys of mine that it truly is hard to even remember life without them. I think to myself, “Wow! I went to see Jack Johnson on the field of UCSD and I didn’t need a babysitter? Whaaaaat?!”. I know some people say life didn’t really start until they saw their child’s face for the first time. Now, listen, that moment changed my life forever in the most amazing way, but let’s not discount life before kids because that was filled with great times too!

The point is my world was forever changed in February of 2009 and again in November of 2010. My goals changed from being focused on my happiness to putting every ounce of energy I have into creating the best childhood for my sons. Raising confident, independent, caring, kind, happy, intelligent little men. That is my goal, my new dream. So, yes, I still absolutely enjoy and look forward to girl time at the spa, concerts with my husband and quiet time, but I always know that I have those two sweet faces waiting for me and that means more than anything!

Annoying Dad

Let me just start by saying I'm not trying to be negative here, but seriously, you all have run into a version of Annoying Dad at your playground and can relate!

So, my little birds and I were at the playground - lots of kids, Moms, Dads, Nannies - and everyone is having a great time. Sun is shining, birds are chirping, kids are laughing, blah blah blah. Annoying Dad shows up and throws off the whole vibe.

Let me describe him so you can get a good vision in your head of this guy. Dad jeans - and I mean DAD jeans. Acid wash, 12 inch zipper, probably Costco special via 1998. White (yet dirty), super puffy New Balance shoes which I'm sure he refers to as 'sneakers', sweatshirt tied around his waist (I mean, how can he do this?! I'm sure he normally reserves this space for his fanny pack!), shaggy gray hair with washed out brown tips. Proof that he went through some sort of mid-life crisis and dyed his hair only to realize it was not his best look. Oh, and how can I forget the color changing glasses - watch 'em get dark in the sunshine kids!

Okay, okay so who cares what he looks like. I get it. If he's a great Dad he can wear whatever floats his 1990's lovin' boat. What certifies his Annoying Dad status is how LOUDLY he talked to his 5 year old son in a baby voice in public. "Watch that big guy come down the slide-y wide-y! Go strong man...my tough bear!" I feel like he was trying to talk so loudly so we could all see what an "amazing" dad he was being. He asked all the parents which kids were theirs in a manner that made me feel like he wanted to know right away who to jump on if his child was 'wronged' and made absolutely sure no one cut his son in line for the swings and was right on his heels baby talking him all around the sandbox. Do your son a favor, Annoying Dad, and keep the baby talk at home. Geeeesh!

I'm one of those people who gets embarrassed for others and I was dying inside for this kid. Uuuhhhh, I feel so much better now that I got that off my chest! I hope your inevitable run-ins with the Annoying Dad at your playground are few and far between!