OK, I admit, I usually start thinking about my boys' birthdays well in advance. This year, however, a lot has been going on and I didn't feel like dealing with it. Tommy is going to be 6 and Brendan will be 4. Both birthdays are in June (yes, this is where you can insert your crack about September).

Last year was the first year I formally celebrated Brendan's birthday beyond the family. And it was a combined party for both he and his brother in the backyard with make-your-own ice cream sundaes and a rented bounce house that kept all the kids happy and contained (miraculously no one vomited).

This year I decided I didn't feel like hosting a party at home again. I was finally going to make the move and take the party outside the neighborhood. As Tommy gets bigger (as do his friends) , the idea of a bounce house in my backyard is less appealing and seems more dangerous. Especially with 3 and 4-year-olds in the mix.

My husband and I also decided, times being what they are, it's probably less expensive to have the party elsewhere because inviting neighborhood kids also means buying alcohol and food for their adult parents who we enjoy spending time with. And then there's the time spent shopping, setting up and cleaning up...I was convinced.

Until I started making some calls. Apparently good moms actually book these party places like 6 months in advance! Who knew? Reminds me of the time my friend Jessica told me she rented the dancefloor at a local club for her daughter's birthday with visions of a hip disco party. Only to get there and find the place pitch dark with very little light. This was not her original plan, but like me, she waited too long and all the "good places" were already booked.

Remember, until now I have been a "have it home in the backyard" kind of birthday party mom. First I called PumpItUp, the place my boys really, really wanted to have their party. The only times they have open on a weekend from now until who knows when is 8:30am and (no lie) 7pm. Scratch that one from the list.

Then I called the Lego store at the mall. Tommy wanted to have his party there last year but you had to be six. This year, he qualifies (I don't know about all of his friends but I highly doubt they'll be asked to produce ID). The woman was very apologetic and said they are fully booked through June. Seems a lot of kids who have birthdays in the summer have their parties before school gets out. "June is a terribly busy month," she explained. Again, who knew?

I consulted the party pages in a local parenting publication and saw that I could have a pirate come to the house, or a mad scientist, even a bubble guy. But these options run around $250-$300 and that still requires me to host everyone at my house! How exactly is that a win?

Sigh. Seems I've got to go back to the drawing board. Better go check out Peppers and Pollywogs for some inspiration because I'm a little bummed that I left this for so long. Tommy's birthday is four weeks away!

Looks like it will be the backyard again this year.