Birthday Party Anxiety

His birthday isn't for months, yet I'm already stressed about what we will do and where we will do it.

With almost 20 immediate family members in a 5 mile radius -- 10 of those are kids ranging from 2 to 12 -- we definitely can't host the party in our row house in DC.  Of course, we could, but surely all the nieces and nephews who live in the suburbs will come and do what they always do out of habit from what they're used to at home -- "where's your basement?" Um, yeah. About that. We don't have a basement. We have tenants living there. A very confusing thing for kids to understand. "Why do strangers live in your basement? Do they walk through your house to get downstairs?"  Oh those sill suburbanites.

So seriously. WTF am I going to do for a 2 year olds birthday? The weather won't be warm enough for something outdoors and every indoor "hot spot" (gag...there are hot spots for toddler parties?!) ranges from $300-$700 for a party. We are talking about 60-mins of activity and pizza and apple juice.  Perhaps I belong in the toddler party business. 

On the off chance you're also looking for party information, here's what I have uncovered.

National Zoo --- only takes kids 4 to 8
National Building Museum -- only takes kids 3-11
JCC --$525 for the room 
Kidville Bethesda --$595 (but includes activity, food for kids and drinks, cake and favors)
Bounce U -- $295 for the activity 
Children's Museum at the Waterfront -- they plan to start hosting parties in March 2013

If only the Baltimore Aquarium and Train Museum were closer to DC... Or the weather were warmer when we're planning for the party and we could take advantage of one of the fabulous playgrounds and parks in the area.

At the end of the day, I haven't lost sight of the fact that my son will simply be thrilled by seeing his cousins and following them around. And I will be thrilled when he is happy -- and of course when I snap that "must take" birthday photo of cake all over his sweet and delicious face.  But finding a "perfect" activity to show just how awesome city living is would feel pretty good. Petty, I know. But you're with me, right city dwellers?!