Vent and WWYD: B-day parties- now with a clicky poll for your enjoyment

A&Jmom

So, the 1st place I wanted was booked, the whole day, the weekend before and the weekend after.  I came up with some alternative (want train theme and would really prefer not to do it at home).  The 1st alternative never called me back- 2 voice messages left- not thrilled with doing business with them now even if they did call back. (the train that comes to you, for anyone that was following the PP) The 2nd place- Kiddie Acres, does not open until 12pm.  That won't work because Abby has a soccer game that day at 1pm and no way would we have the party without her.  I really do not want her to blow off the game either. I know she is only 5 and not really a big deal but I don't like the message it sends to her. I do not want to do it after either, because then it would be the 4pm spot and in early May i think it would be too hot for outside play.  I thought about the zoo, but it is so far from our house even having it at 10am would make it almost impossible to get Abby to her game in time.  Oh, and she has games at 1pm the week before and after also, so changing the date still presents the same problems.

So, wwyd?

#1 Do it at 4pm at Kiddie Acres and not worry about the heat

#2 There is a park near our house and Abby's soccer game that is really nice and shady.  It has picnic table and a playscape. But, there is no option of reserving anything.  Would you risk it? It would pretty much just be play on the playground have some cake, that is about it. Is that too boring for a party?

#3 Or would you just have it at home.  I know we would have lots for the kids to do, it is so much work though i was looking forward to having it somewhere else this year.  I could also really do up the train theme at home! I am afraid I would get carried away and put way more into it than needed. 

#4- other- I am open to ideas

 

 

[Poll]

Kim777

I had one more idea the other day and forgot to email you. Have you looked into the barrel train? We have ridden them both out here at our neighbor's big Easter shindig and at Sweet Berry Farms. I think there are several around but I will link one below. I think any of your options are fine. I believe the kids would have a great time playing on the playscape and then doing cake. Plus the fact that it is near the soccer game is really convenient considering you have a fairly narrow window of time there. I also think you would be okay with the 4 pm at Kiddie Acres. We play outside all year long, just try to have shade and water when it is hot, and I think there is plenty of shade there. I think if you really want to avoid having it at home then go with either the park or Kiddie Acres and I really think either one would be fine.

https://www.moonwalksaustin.com/index.php?p=1_10_Trains

Nessia

I would do the park thing. At his age he would love it and it shouldn't be too hot. Just make sure you have water available.

mcgee

I would not do Kiddie Acres late in the day for fear of it being really hot. I'd either do the party at home with a train theme or find another location that you like that works with your schedule.

Have you looked into Safari Champ? It used to be Jungle Java but has reopened under another name. That might be an option.

misjenn

MrsRosie:

This looks kind of fun (warning: the typos/spelling on this site are absolutely horrendous). ETA: Maybe I have the dirtiest mind on the planet, but the last two photos are kind of, um, suggestive.

Emma's school had a caterpillar like this one at school one day after they read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and I was thinking the same thing, but she LOVED going in it.

OH and how do you misspell TODDLER? Seriously someone should have ran spell check before publishing their website.

ssinca

MrsRosie:

ETA: Maybe I have the dirtiest mind on the planet, but the last two photos are kind of, um, suggestive.

OMG, train crack!

and yeah, who put together that website?  I think my 6 yr old nephew knows how to spell better than that. 

A&Jmom

Thanks for the ideas ladies!  That bouncy train looks awesome, a bit more than I wanted to spend though.  And OMG on the last 2 pics!

Kim- i looked into another trackless train, they did not call me back.  I did not see a price on this one and I am kind of over calling places at this point. 

I am just soooo over this!  I feel like forces are working against me in throwing my son a good b-day party.  Yes, I know that is overly dramatic!

 Well, I need to decide something VERY soon!  Thanks everyone!

 

FireChiefsBride

MrsRosie:

This looks kind of fun (warning: the typos/spelling on this site are absolutely horrendous). ETA: Maybe I have the dirtiest mind on the planet, but the last two photos are kind of, um, suggestive.

Um, I couldn't handle the very first photo on the main page. 

MrsAJL

FireChiefsBride:

MrsRosie:

This looks kind of fun (warning: the typos/spelling on this site are absolutely horrendous). ETA: Maybe I have the dirtiest mind on the planet, but the last two photos are kind of, um, suggestive.

Um, I couldn't handle the very first photo on the main page. 

Whoa! A train penis!

KateAggie

That train is so, so wrong.

Chandley

BAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAA OMG I can't stop laughing! (at the photos)

mcgee

A&J, if you went with the bouncy train, you could photograph J emerging from the train crack. It would be like recreating birth. I think it's very birthday-appropriate.