The Buro Group

I’d take solving a problem like Maria any day over trying to find the perfect place to host kids parties. Bentleigh East has been our home for the last six years and I can’t tell you how happy I was to find a venue locally that does such amazing birthday celebrations.

I tried to host a Frozen party for my five-turning six year old last year. And when I say tried, I don’t say it lightly.

I mean, I tried to make it absolutely perfect. I made tiny frozen sugar cookies, ice mugs, the most amazing balloon arch for the front gate. I had a photographer come to the day especially to take amazing shots. I had the cake made by an artisan baker and the children all had to attend in theme to play the loads of Frozen based games and then finally, take home a whole bunch of Frozen based paraphernalia party bags that almost send my social media account into meltdown. But guess what? Not a single kid really cared that much about anything I was trying to create.

And I realised this the hard way. I’m over the moon that I was able to find a few kids parties venues in the Bayside area.

I’d forgotten what it was like to be a kid and count down the days to a party. I had expected the kids and parents to love what I created, but instead I think everyone was overwhelmed and that made it all feel quite stiff. I was so disappointed. And burnt out. The next day, I had to admit that I’d gone overboard. I actually cried about all my hard work and realised I’d just expected too much. I promised that I wouldn’t ever try and micromanage a party again, and we agreed to let out two year old have her party next month at the said amazing indoor play center up the street from us. And you know what? As soon as we made that agreement, I felt better. Not so Frozen. Relieved.

Well, here we are in Melbourne again. The kids are thrilled to be staying with Oma and Opa, and Tony and I are jazzed to get into some nightlife – they don’t make the bars like this in Sydney! In typical Melbourne style, though, the weather is rather on the bleak side, and we didn’t pack any rain gear. Until we get that sorted out or the sun comes out, we’re going to have to find something for mum and dad to do with the kids that will keep them from losing their minds (the kids, I mean, but this applies to all concerned).

I’m hoping that there’s an indoor play centre in Melbourne, like the one we had Kate’s birthday at last year. This is not a city that’s running short on recreational facilities, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem by any stretch. Trust me – these places are lifesavers at times like this, when you need the kids to let off some steam in a secure environment where they’re not likely to cause too much damage.

I reckon we’ll line this up for tomorrow, when Tony and I are booked in for lunch at our favourite bistro by the river. Mum and dad will be into it for sure – they love being able to get amongst the kids’ mischief and run around after them. Dad’s always been a climber; I remember he’d climb up trees at the playground when I was a kid, just to see what was up there. Mum has a bung ankle at the moment, but she’ll probably want to get in the ball pit with Jamie (the quieter one by a long shot).

Yep, I’m totally sold on this whole indoor play centre thing. There’s something awesome about a place that’s completely dedicated to providing space for kids to run around like crazy and be their wonderfully ridiculous little selves, without being in danger. Most places you can take kids have other stuff going for them, but sometimes the playground concept 100% fits the bill.