OK, well we left off last time in the 253 having knocked out the first swimming lesson with the boy, with mere days to go before the long awaited PUMP IT UP party.  When I say long awaited, my son went to a PUMP IT UP party last June and has been asking for one of his own ever since. For the first few weeks he would really work himself into a lather over it. Somehow he got the idea into his head that even though we had agreed to his birthday wish, there was still a chance he wouldn't be invited ... to his own party.  So after a few panicked weeks with little success explaining the ins and outs of throwing a party for one's self, he and I sat down one day and wrote up a one off birthday party invitation from us, to him - informing him that the party wouldn't be the same without his presence. After that point he felt much better about it. 

This little smoke and mirrors slight of hand trick did little in the way of slowing down the frequency of his daily verbal time prods in the form of, "Is it my birthday yet?" and "Am I five yet?" He learned the month and day of his birthday by asking if it was time for his party so many times. I had no idea what all the excitement was about. I wasn't at the party in June.  I mean, I have some rich friends.  I've seen those rental bouncy castles that take up a whole yard. You get a pretty good size jumping area with maybe a little slide connected, and the kids seemed to spend as much time chasing each other around the thing as playing in it. So what? Why was he losing his mind over Pump It Up? And for nine months, no less. 

PUMP IT UP is off 38th Street behind Guitar Center. They make you show up 15 minutes before your scheduled time to watch a safety video. That was the first giveaway.  This was no yard set up rental unit. There were safety precautions that needed to be obeyed, with consequences for disregarding.  I didn't watch much of the video, but I did catch something about NOT going down the "slide" upside down or backwards. I've never been huge on following safety tips. They're mostly for the kids anyway, right?

To be honest, about a month before the party, when I had tried to take my son shopping for a new bike and been turned down, with him saying all he wanted was the PUMP IT UP party - it had been too much for my little brain to handle. I did some research, and found out the bouncing is not done just by the children - everybody is welcome. Getting briefed on all the safety stuff, I was starting to catch the fever. I started telling all the parents there was going to be mandatory bouncing for all ages.

Turns out, I wouldn't have to force anyone.

After the safety video, they take you into the first "room." It has one bouncy castle with a floor a little bit bigger than a boxing ring. It was huge. There was also a full-size bouncy obstacle course - two side by side for racing, where I was able to beat my cheating, head start taking brother in, rewarding us both with mild hernias.

There was also a bouncy slide that was a good 20 feet tall. It was KILLER! Oh! And there was air hockey. OHH! And they ask you what kind of music you want them to crank while you sweat it out. My son chose classic rock.  

There were two employed safety monitors, the first of whom, stationed at the base of the slide, suggested after my first arrival at the bottom that I try it ... (wait for it, wait for it) upside down and backwards! It too was KILLER. 

After 30 minutes, the folks at PUMP IT UP inform you that the party is about to be shifted into Room 2. Not to be out done by the first room, Room 2 boasts an almost full-size bouncy basketball court - which totally ruled - as well as another (single) obstacle-ish chamber - not to mention a double, side-by-side bouncy slide that was a good five feet taller than its single predecessor. About 10 minutes into the second rooms time period, most of the lights went off and the disco balls came out. It was the greatest time ever.

Then, just when everyone is worn out, they herd you into a Cake Room for, naturally, cake and presents. PUMP IT UP has it all timed out so you get about 10 minutes for the veggie tray, 10 minutes for cake and eight minutes for opening the presents - and then it's don't let the door hit you on the way out. The next party is tired, sweaty, and right behind you to get into the Cake Room.  The beauty being there was no awkward standing around and mingling, and not too much time to say thanks or multiple good byes - because there just isn't time. All the quality time is spent in the greatest playground I've been as an adult.

Sure, they have expensive crummy pizza they want to sell you, and they make you pay a fee to bring your own non-crummy pizza snacks, and they don't allow ANY ice in the place at all - which seemed really strange - but other than that, it was worth the nine month build up.

I'm fairly certain I'm going to have my birthday at PUMP IT UP next year.