Last Saturday, Punkin went to her first "friends" birthday party.

I was mentally prepared for the worst. A bunch of wound up three year olds, running (and screaming) around a child's heaven. "Heaven" is also referred to as "Leaping Lizards." The place reminds me of a McDonald's playland on steriods.

To tell the truth, I've always been a little afraid of these places. Too many children running around, too much noise, too many parents with glazed over eyes just sitting there waiting for the kids to say they're done, or wondering how they will ever get the kids out of this place without a scene.

I couldn't let that fear hold me back, or more precisely, keep Punkin from attending her friend's birthday party. Especially when she was so excited about going.

We arrived at the appointed time and approached the door. I faced my fear, took a deep breath and followed Punkin inside.

The birthday girl arrived, we were shown what room the pizza and birthday cake would be served in, and the kids took off down the flight of stairs, and down the ramp to the main attraction. A twenty (or thirty) foot tall monstrousity of tubes and rope and slides and moonwalk-type jumping thing and balls to lay/jump/sit in. It was unbelieveable. After some coaxing by Punkin (and another adult at the party) I began climbing and playing with Punkin inside and around the apparatus. She was a little hesitant at first, but then another of her "best friends" showed up and she never looked back. (All that equipment and the kids had the most fun playing with/on the ramp.)

She (and her friends) had a really good time. I'm pleased to report that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Yes, there were a lot of kids; yes, it was quite noisy, and yes, some parents looked a little glazed. I was not one of those parents. I did what I could to assist another Mom who had brought her 3 week old, in addition to her 3 year old to the party. I helped when and where I could, I watched Punkin play, and I laughed, consoled, and was firm when I needed to be. Somewhere along the course of the afternoon I realized what her next birthday party, and other future parties would be like. I accepted my fate.

Punkin was completely tired when we left to return home, and a bit fussy to boot. Strangely enough, she slept very well that night. Her first "friends" party had apparently pooped her out.

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