The Internet has ruined children’s birthday parties for me.

All you read about are these wrenching stories of kids who invited dozens of friends to the local pizza place or burger joint only for none of their friends to arrive. Some even came with pictures of the birthday boy or girl blowing out their candles while surrounded by rows of empty chairs.

We had a party for Derek’s 4^th birthday last Sunday, and I was hoping we didn’t have to write one of those stories, especially since all week Derek kept asking about his party and when he could see his cake.

The party was scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., so I started to get antsy when 11:20 rolled around and no one had showed. It was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme, so we had TMNT plates and napkins, and TMNT paper lanterns hanging from one of our kitchen light fixtures. Derek and his friends would be eating pieces of a TMNT marble-flavored cake.  And Christina went out and bought a pirate ship piñata – couldn’t find a TMNT one because I guess no one wants to see Jolly Ranchers explode from the head of some random Ninja Turtle – that Derek and I spent the morning filling with candy.

All this cool stuff and the house was empty. Uh-oh…

Then, around 11:30 or so, the house began to fill. Folks began to arrive. Kids started sprinting all over the place, shifting from Derek’s room to the living room, before making their way outside, where they took turns beating the piñata that we rigged with some extension cord.

It was a success. Those who said they were coming did, and those who couldn’t make it gave us plenty of notice. Derek had fun, the kids had fun and I can’t recall a single temper tantrum – and that includes parents.

So, no, you won’t be reading about Derek’s nightmarish birthday party anytime soon.
I just hope No.5 goes as well…