Toddler Birthday Party

Assorted small children vaulting over furniture, climbing in and out of a play tent and tube, pumping balloons, popping balloons, running around in circles, fighting over toys, fighting over the balloon pump, and just generally kicking up a storm.

And assorted adults, slumped in chairs or standing listlessly around the living room. Occasionally attempting conversations, which trail off after a few sentences.

The birthday girl cruises through, carrying about a dozen variously sized dolls.

An unusually large, kindergarten-sized toddler tries to pull her older sister off the rock-n-fold. The sister kicks punches her off -- each of them crying "Mom!" at strategic moments.

The men talk about home improvement; one guy is having an extension built. It'll be done in about a month.

We drink beers.

The birthday girl cruises through, wheeling a baby carriage in which numerous dolls have been placed.

My son, 2 years old and 7 months, wants to use the balloon pump. I hold it steady while he attempts to stomp on it.

The women are not making small talk or girl talk; they're not talking at all. They're just watching the kids, the high-speed action, with dazed looks on their faces. Occasionally nibbling on chicken nuggets.

My son sits in a chair eating dinosaur nuggets.

The birthday girl is shouting with everything she's got, which is a lot. She has an expression of supreme indignation on her face. It's her birthday, and Mom's hauling her upstairs for a diaper change.

I find myself thinking about the family dog in middle age, how she wasn't frisky and fun like a puppy but just sort of lazed around.

I grab a kid-sized carton of apple juice and sip at it.

It's time for the cake -- two candles. Chocolate with pink frosting.