Six Candles

Yes, Folks, that law about inertia is so true! A blogger who is at rest tends to stay at rest. I keep thinking, "yeah, i should do a post tonight," and then *bang* I'm sacked out. Another issue is that the computer is a desktop that lives in a corner of our downstairs. And life increasingly is not in a corner of the downstairs. What I want is a laptop computer. That way it can live in my lap, wherever that lap may be. (george, i am cyber-smacking you right now for whatever comment you are thinking!) But alas, there is not a big pile of moolah sitting around doing nothing right now, so here I am, in a corner of the basement, in the dark because Urban Kid 2 still needs to be put into a PakNPlay to fall asleep before being moved to her Big Girl Bed.

Enough excuses. Here's what's what:

Urban Kid 1 is about to turn 6yo, and we are trying to figure out what to do. So far, we've gotten away with not really doing an official, real birthday party. We've done low-key family things. Last year, it was a fun date with Daddy around the city. The year before, it was two friends coming over for a tour of the local firehouse and a couple of games and cake at the apartment. Before that, Best Namma Ever! coming up to hang out with us.

But now she's coming onto 6yo. And she's going to birthday parties. And some of these parties are damn expensive nice. People renting out Pump It Up! and going to plays and such. She wants this. She wants a party and friends and favors and goodies bags and a venue.

Cringe!!!

But it's been a big summer for Urban Kid 1. She got her first library card, lost her first tooth (and there's a second one loosening up, too), learned how to ride her bike, got a passport, went on a huge roadtrip and continues her quest to be a decorator.

Perhaps we should top off the big summer? Perhaps she's old enough now for a party? To enjoy and appreciate and remember it? This was the conversation between Urban Dad & me.

Then we investigated the price at a place we knew she would love. $400. $400! Before providing our own cake, balloons, goodie bags, plates & forks, tips, etc. So really, closer to $500.

$500!!

Sorry, Urban Kid 1. That's almost halfway to that laptop computer. That's a full-on Botox treatment that I keep whining that I want. That's Piano and Swimming classes for the Fall and Winter.

In other words, No ****ing Way.

So now we are investigating our gym. Perhaps we could invite some friends to join her at the climbing wall. Hell, I'm certified now. I could belay a few shorties up the wall if it helps. I've seen other groups do this, followed by cake and goodie bags in a particular area of the lobby near the climbing wall.

Or maybe, we invite three of her girlfriends over, cab them downtown, toss everyone into a carriage ride, cab them home, then cake and giggles and goodie bags.

It could be worse. She could be turning 21. I intend to hide under my bed for that one. If she turns out to be anything like I was at 21, anyway.

Such are the dramas with the Urban Family just now.