Family Talk: What Kind of Birthday Party Should I Throw?

My son's birthday is approaching. Every year, with the exception of last year, since he turned one, my husband and I have thrown him a birthday party. Being that my son's birthday is before the start of the school year, we usually just plan something with family.

Whether it be a barbecue or house party, we've always done it in a simple way, but went all out in terms of food and activities for the adults and kids alike. I love to entertain, so parties, from planning through execution, are just so much fun to me.

Last year we stopped to think if all the planning, preparing and spending we were doing to throw a simple party was really the best way to celebrate my son's birthday, who was turning eight at the time.

We opted, for the first time in his entire life, not to throw him a party, but to plan a surprise trip to Splish Splash, on the day of his birthday. We didn't tell him what we were going to be doing, only that it was a surprise and that he'd have to wait to see what it was.

On his birthday, we woke up both the kids, gave them their swimming suits and announced that we were "GOING TO SPLISH SPLASH!" Both of my kids were ecstatic.

We spent the entire day at the water park, and returned home to have a pizza and pasta dinner with a birthday cake. The day went phenomenally, and everyone, including the adults (my husband, cousin and myself) had a wonderful time.

Last year I was apprehensive about not throwing him a party, since he had had one every year prior, but it was probably the best decision my husband and I could have made.

This year, my son will be celebrating his birthday with a kids party at a themed party place, with his friends from school (also a first for him). We've never had a party with his school friends, outside of school, for the simple fact that his birthday falls during the summer.

My son has been asking for one, so I decided to plan the party, early on. I reserved the party place and sent out invites 3 weeks ahead of time, trying to give parents enough notice, since this weekend (the date of the party) is one of the last of the summer vacation.

Since I haven't heard back from just over half of the invited guests, I'm beginning to wonder if throwing a party at such a venue was the best idea. Should I have justed waited for school to start to make it easier on parents? Will my son be disappointed if he doesn't see a lot of the guests he invited?

I wonder if it isn't best to just keep it small, but plan for a big family activity/outing, instead of throwing a party at a kid-friendly venue of his choosing.

What I do know is that my son is going to have a blast any way you put it, since the party is being held in one of his favorite places. From the lazer tag to the bumper cars and arcades, I'm not sure he'll even notice anything other than the good time he is having, no matter what the turn out.

I ask you though, what are your thoughts on celebrating kids' birthdays? Do you like to keep it simple, or plan big? Are kid parties the norm, or do you just stick to family and close friends?