Everything was perfect. Every detail handled. The cake was picked up fresh and was smelling so sweet it was inviting the first bite in the car ride to the park. The urge to taste the icing was overcome by the knowledge that a perfect Birthday Party was about to begin. One that they would never forget.
The Phoenix Party rental company was already at the Ramada when mom arrived with the decorations, snacks and cake. They collaborated on where to set up the Spiderman Bounce and orient it so the parents could gather around the picnic tables to eat and chat while still keeping an eye on their little ones.
With the bounce spiked down it was time to go over the safety check list. After all the party could be a disappointment if anything went wrong.
"Adult supervision"...check
"Take off Shoes"...yep
"No flips, tumbling or wrestling"...of course
"No silly string or food inside"...fair enough
"Take down in high winds"...makes sense
"Turn off the sprinklers"...???
Mom hesitated. When she reserved the Ramada the Park Officials asked for the times they would be there. The Park obviously knew where and what they were setting up. After all it cost $50.00 to "book" the facility. One would have to believe that the Park people knew what they were doing, surely they wouldn't need to water on an Arizona Friday night during a little boy's birthday party...
Sprinklers? No problem.
When the party company arrived later that evening to tear down Spiderman he was already deflated. Just like the party mom who sat on top of the picnic table surrounded by wet crepe paper streamers and sagging helium balloons. The guests had left early and never got to enjoy the delicious cake that had smelled so good.
Spiderman weighed quite a bit more wet than he ever did dry. Mom took a deep breath apologized for the bounce getting wet and proclaimed the party a disaster. The birthday boy seemed unfazed, after all he did get to see his friends, get some really neat gifts and got to play in the mud. All in all not a bad day for an eight year old.
Certainly a party he will never forget.
