So, there I was. Knee-deep in toddlers having the time of my life and just when I didn�t think it could get any better � there was a super top secret announcement.
Oh, sure � you may not like kids� birthday parties. But this was my nephew�s fourth � and I was there to rock out.
The usual suspects were there. Thomas the Train Noisemakers and goody bags and streamers plus three-five year olds crawling around in the ball pit, all hopped up on sugar and running amuck with their sticky fingers.
And then came, what I thought was the star of the show � the dinosaur pi�ata!
Do you know how much fun can be watching those kids take a whack at that thing til it gave up the goods?
�I was all � wahoo! Go get �em!�
Good times, my friends, good times.
But it turns out, the pi�ata was just the opening act.
That�s right, the pi�ata was just Saves The Day on the Vagrant tour until the surprise special guest The Alkaline Trio show up because it�s a Chicago date and they happen to be in town.
Just when I thought the fun was over � the super top secret announcement was made.
The pi�ata was all smoke screens and mirrors while my brother and some of the dads were outside setting up The Bouncy House.
Bouncy House, yo! Bouncy House!
You know, one of those huge-gantic inflatable houses you climb into to jump around in? The kinda thing you see at the carny?
And it didn�t matter it was nighttime in northern Illinois� in January! It was in the driveway!
Who was more excited - me or the kids? We can�t be sure � but I will say I was very, very careful not to knock anyone over on my way out.
And actually, I was quite reserved at first. I just helped the little buggers take off their shoes and toss them on in.
Then, I was on Bouncy House Door Duty for awhile � that is, whenever any one of them got out of control and came accidentally hurtling towards the door it was my job to catch �em and pitch �em back in.
And that was fun. For, you know, a little while.
Ok, like you could resist the pull of the Bouncy House.
That�s right. I spent the majority of my Saturday night ricocheting around with a bunch of three-five year olds like popcorn kernels sizzling in hot oil.
Don�t worry some of the other adults followed and before you know it, we were all yelling �we want a pitcher! Not a belly itcher!�
Why? Who cares when you�re in the bouncy house!
But just a little advice, should you ever find yourself in a similar situation. Newton was on to something with all that for each action there is an equal and opposite reaction stuff. Because chances are, when you�ve got 4 or 5 full sized adults hopping around with a bunch of kids � once you jump - your landing is most likely to send a 40 pound toddler rocketing at light speed into the corner.
Just, you know, something to think about.
But anyway - Best. Time. Ever.
Hey, man - don�t laugh � I�m already looking to book the Bouncy House for my next birthday party. �Cept someone�s gonna have to post a very special sign on the door: