Daily Gnome : Life | Family | Home: Outsourcing the Party Planning

This was the year I hung up my Party Planner hat and passed the batan.?After the Backwards Party?of 2011, Mary Poppins in 2010, and the Race Car Extravaganza?when he turned three, I was ready to forego the home venue and outsource my kids' birthdays. Plus, I don't know how I could have topped last year. Custom name tags for each guest? Just the thought exhausts me today.

Ever since Carson attended a classmate's party last fall, he'd been determined to ring in his sixth year at PlayDate PDX in Northwest Portland. I booked a 9am Saturday slot and we practically had the entire place to ourselves. With fresh brewed Stumptown, a tray of Gabriel's Bakery bagels, and a Party Host handling every detail, there was nothing to do but relax on the comfy couches and chat up the parents while our kids had a blast in the huge indoor playground.

Carson dancing a jig:

Game on! Red vs blue in the ball blaster arena.

Chocolate cake at 10am? Only if followed by a lollipop chaser. Goodie bags! {I had to put my mark on something :}

Happy birthday C-man!

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