What, you ask? What was the BEST money I ever spent? If you know me much at all, you probably know that my bargain-hunting prowess could make me a contender for Miss Frugality. At the very least, I could be a significant contributor to the Bargain Hall of Fame. (Perhaps that would set me up for a coupon for reduced admission.) Heck, I could have millions in the bank ( although I most definitely don’t), yet I’d still be a coupon-cutting and sale-searching fool. Alas, the thrill of the hunt is so engrained in me it is part of who I am these days and forevermore it seems.

So, I digress. The best money ever spent was ...drumroll please… having Sam’s birthday party ELSEWHERE. In past years we’ve had them at home and nearly killed ourselves trying to make sure the yard doesn’t look like the Munsters live here, weeding, cleaning, planning, cooking, arranging, cleaning up afterwards, etc. And then of course I should not leave out the most exhausting part of party-giving—entertaining, working the party so to speak while still trying to be Hostess with the Mostess getting the chicken nuggets and cake served to keep the Little People happy.

So this year we ventured forth and had it at Inflation Nation. (Incidentally Sam calls it “Summation Nation” while his friend Caleb calls it “Inflation Inflation.“) You know what place I mean anyway, that cavernous warehouse place set off Hull Street with more bouncy houses inside than I have ever seen in my life. (And I’ve seen many a bouncy house in my day.) Sam’s party was basically his friend Lucas’ birthday party Part II, since we copied him by having it at the same place and invited many of the same people. They have many of the same friends being classmates in the “Red Room” and living in the same ‘hood. (Generally speaking it is the same hood. Some would say that Rosemont is separate from Salisbury and far more exclusive, both of which are quite true.)

So the kids bounced and bounced and bounced, and Daddy mac and I even got to do some bouncing too. It was such a treat to actually be able to converse with people instead of being busy orchestrating the whole schebang. After an hour and 15 minutes, we all adjourned to the “party room” and had pizza, chicken nuggets and Batman cake. The best part of it all was that there was a girl, I mean, young lady, from Inflation Nation who was in charge of coordinating it all, including cutting up the ginormous sheet cake and handing it out to all the munchkins. That alone was worth the price of admission and then some. After 45 minutes in the party room, it was time to go, and it was Inflation Nation kicking everyone out, not me. (Another euphoric moment.)

The most brilliant part of it all is that these bouncy house places are rigged so that once you go into the party room, YOU CAN’T GO BACK INTO BOUNCY-HOUSE-LAND. No how, no way. NO! Everyone has to leave by a separate door that spills out in to the lobby. That is huge! It saves every weary parent from having to plead, cajole, pull, and/or carry their frosting-filled child out of bouncy-house-ville kicking and screaming to continue to bounce the day (and night) away.

The whole lobby idea is made even better when you take into account the little shopping area! I do have to give my friend my friend Debster credit for finding it and scoping it out. We bought the same awesome flip-flops in the lobby that are quite comfortable. As a matter of fact, I have them on right now! My rationalization for buying them is that they were my party favor. Another bonus—instead of a trashed house I got my 20th pair of flip-flops!

Oh, and did I mention that I had a coupon, too?

LibbY

PS The full archives of my blog is at http://www.libbywithay.blogspot.com