Goodbye, Party Mama

Manic Birthday Party Mom has officially been laid to rest. 

Yes, sorry to disappoint, but Katie's upcoming six year fete will not be the crazed, overthemed/underplanned extravaganza that I have been known for in years past.  There will be no erections of the Barbie Dream House in birthday cake.  I don't even have any immediate plans for an intricately designed birthday invitation as I have been known for in years past (although that might change this weekend -- I could use a sample for my portfolio, so the effort would be worth it for the business).  Nope.  This year, per the request of the Queen herself, she wants a simple birthday party at a local indoor playzone (think Little Gym but for bigger kids), where they provide not only all the fun a child can have in a single hour, but all the paper goods, balloons, and even pizza and juice.  All I have to show up with is my person, my two chillruns, and enough cupcakes for the brood.  Oh, and a #6 candle so she can blow it out. 

How will I ever manage to not turn this simple affair into grounds for divorce?  Shawn won't know what to do with himself and all the time he'll have to sit and, well, breathe, without my having him run to every candy store on the East Coast to find the exact type and color of gummy fruit slices. 

I'm certain I'll manage to overcomplicate matters somehow.  Oh yes, favors.  Yeah.  I'll make that a clusterfuck in no time flat.