Birthday season

We didn't plan it this way, but it really works out well having kids with birthdays in February and April.  We can get through autumn with back-to-school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, then Christmas, and then we can focus on birthdays, one at a time.

We've gotten four invitations to friends' parties so far this year, and we are also in the process of planning two parties in our own house.

Birthday parties do seem to be big business around here.  Most people (from what we've seen, anyway) have them at venues, often indoor soft-play places or community centres.  Plenty of options, like anywhere.  We considered other places (well, I offered) but Susanna was determine to have hers at our new home.  Ben first wanted a bowling party (just like last year) and wasn't interested in the farm park or anything else... until I offered up a pirate party.  New plan!

The kids and I walked to town this afternoon to visit one of the two toy shops there.  Its so nice to have these small, locally owned shops nearby (not just for toys, but for lots of things.)  And I was thinking this afternoon that these toy shops must be fairly safe despite the "credit crunch".  The birthday party culture is alive and well and there are always presents to be bought; we were there to buy two.  Any time we go in there after school there are several kids who seem to be choosing gifts.

The one thing I still don't understand is why they cut the cake, wrap it in a napkin, and send it home in the party bags.