Kiddie Party

It seems that we are now on the kid party circuit. In fact, I think we've had more kiddie party invites in the last 6 months than we've had adult gatherings in the past 2 years. And we're quickly learning that other holidays (like Father's or Valentine's Day) take a back seat when it comes to accommodating your child's birthday fantasies.

Otter, after a crazy 3-hour nap, was ready to party like it was 1999. Dressed to impress, she wowed me by displaying absolutely none of the stranger anxiety she has recently exhibited. Instead, she happily scooted around the floor, allowed herself to be picked up, snacked on some crackers and even checked out the Bouncy Castle - the de rigueur accessory to every kiddie party.

Which leads me to wonder (as we sneak ever closer to Otter's 1-year mark) what the expectations for a baby celebration are. Clearly, whether your child grasps the concept of their birthday or not, a party is mandatory. To not have one would be tantamount to admitting you don't really care that your baby survived its first 12 months in this world. Some may argue, it even implies that you regret your child's existence, what with the not celebrating and all. Not that I'm being judgey.

So then, who do you invite? If all of your friends have bred, the solution is simple. But for most of us, a kid-related event means that the social group is broken into 2 camps - the crazed, glassy-eyed parents (oh, just say it - mothers) chasing their sugar-amped toddlers around the yard, hoping they don't hang themselves on the bouncy castle's inflator hose, and the childless couples, standing around awkwardly and avoiding making eye contact with anyone involved on the "family fun" side of the yard.

Of course, let's not forget the presence of Entertainment and its close cousin, Theme. As we've seen, the Bouncy Castle is a gimme, but beyond that the field is wide open. In our travels, we've run the gamut from the way cool (that guy who brought lizards) to the vaguely unsettling (I know it's a cliche, but clowns are just creepy).

Drinks (the alcoholic kind) are mandatory - if not for the kids, then at least for their haggard parents and their uncomfortable childless friends. And of course there must be cake. How else are you going to get for adorable photo of your baby sticking his whole face into the biggest expanse of icing while all the other rug-rats gather so close that they risk catching on fire from the lone candle in the middle?

Finally, there is the question of what to wear - both as the baby-of-honor and the guest. I thought this was fairly straight forward (their crappy clothes that you won't care about when they ruin them with cake, grass, soda and whatever other sticky substance they manage to fall into) until this weekend; at our latest kiddie fete, an 8-month old baby was donned in designer white jeans, a hot pink Diesel shirt, rhinestone sandals, and a silver charm bracelet. WTF are you thinking, baby's parents???