A Plain Old, Regular, Nothing Fancy, Generic Birthday

I know it isn't Thursday - but we're talking Birthday parties anyway...

LittleDuckling's B-day was this past Sunday. He is in year-round school and was off-track until the day after his birthday. So, we thought it'd be good to wait until this Saturday (tomorrow) to have the party, so he'd have time to give his friends the invites, etc.

Anyway, I asked him what sort of party he wanted. Last year he sort of got shafted, since my daughter's baptism was the same weekend as his birthday. We did have a family party, but he claims it isn't the same. I don't feel too bad, however, since the year before that we went to the pool with tons of kids. Anyway, I digress. Back to the question. I asked him what sort of party he wanted. He replied, "I dunno... the usual, I guess." What does that mean? Of my three kids, he is my non-talker. So I usually have to probe a little bit to get any information outta him.

I ask, "Well, what sort of theme would you like?"

His reply: "THEME??? DO I HAVE TO HAVE A THEME??? I AM TURNING 11, AFTER ALL."

My reply to his reply: "But... I like theme parties... [I throw a pouty look, complete with lower lip]."

"Mom," he says, "I am too OLD for theme parties. Theme parties are for BABIES!"

I'm thinking - Hey! I'd like a theme party this year!

He goes on to say, "I just want a plain old, nothing-special, normal birthday. I just wanna invite my friends to come over to play and hang out and eat cake. Just a normal, plain old cake. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Nothing fancy. Nothing special. Just a plain old regular birthday party."

I felt like my heart was being ripped out. My baby boy...[sniffle, sniffle]...is too old...[sniffle, sniffle]...for theme parties...Whaaaa!

So, I gave it some thought... and guess what!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I FOUND A LOOP-HOLE!!!!! I found a way for him to have his nothing-special party while I get to plan a THEME party. Bwahahahahahahaha! Cuz that's how I roll!

We are having a GENERIC BIRTHDAY PARTY! It's actually quite clever, if I do say so myself. AND it will probably be the cheapest/easiest birthday party ever!

We have a pizza place less than 2 blocks away from my house that sells $5 pizzas. I will get a few of those. I will make a homemade (all right - from a mix) chocolate cake with "plain old" chocolate frosting. BUT - I will have candles. Other than that, I am sure that a bunch of 10-12 year-old boys will be able to keep themselves occupied playing with the Nerf Dart Guns and building Legos. And if all else fails, I'll send them outside!

My favorite part about the whole thing, I must say, are the "Generic" invitations. Check them out. Plain old Generic invitations printed on plain old white paper... Nothing fancy. I love it. Here's keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow... (click invite to enlarge).