A Child's Birthday in the Park

It was my son's seventh birthday party. His birthday comes at the beginning of the school year, which is as we mothers know, one of the most hectic times in the calendar. I had no time and no inclination to plan a party at the local rodent themed pizza place and my house was too messy to invite anyone over. What's a mom to do?

Then inspiration struck. There is a local park with play equipment, picnic tables, and tons of parking. We descended on it one Saturday morning shortly after his birthday. We wrapped colorful streamers around the trees and threw table clothes on the picnic tables. We strung a colorful pinata from a low hanging branch and then my husband left to pick up some take out pizza.

As the kids began to show, they were thrilled with all the room to roam and play. We had a scavenger hunt with the birthday boy leading the pack. The pinata was a hit, no pun intended. They devoured the pizza then it was time to move on to cake. I carefully opened the box. I realized I had left the knife in the car so I hurried to get it. A breeze had been kicking up but I thought nothing of it as I unlocked my car.

Until I heard everyone scream. I turned around to see the birthday cake land upside down in the grass, the open box acting like a sail. I rushed back, forgetting about the knife once more. All the kids were standing around, staring quietly at the mess on the ground. My son was holding back tears. He slowly crouched down next to the cake and poked it. Then he smiled impishly at his best friend nearby.

He scooped up a handful of ruined birthday cake and threw it at his friend.

"Food fight!"

Before I knew it twelve little boys were giggling and throwing cake at each other. My husband and I stood to the side and watched, helpless as one boy shoved grass covered cake into the birthday boys mouth. "At least they're having fun," my husband said quietly.

I learned two lessons at that party. First, always take the cake out of the box. And second, water fountains don't make good showers for cleaning up sticky boys.