All Rileyed Up

We have three birthday party invitations for this coming Saturday–

Party One: Birthday party for my friend’s daughter, who is a friend of The Boy’s.
Location: A paint-it-yourself pottery place.
Pros: Paint-it-yourself pottery is fun. Will hang out with friends.
Cons: Paint-it-yourself pottery is breakable. Will be alone with The Boy and Little No Limit because Husband is working – this could threaten my ability to socialize as I will be ensuring the safety of the pottery. Nothing for The Boy to eat, and he will be surrounded by other children eating the food he cannot.
Options: Could hire a babysitter for Little No Limit. Would cost money.

Party Two: Birthday party for my niece.
Location: Tea house.
Pros: Get to see and socialize with the family (mother in law and sisters in law), after missing out on both Father’s Day and Mother In Law’s birthday (we were out of town). No matter how crazy my kids behave, the family doesn’t mind. The food and tea at the tea house are good.
Cons: My niece is turning 14, and she will be partying at her own separate table with her other 13 & 14 year old girls, so it’s not like a party party. The tea house uses porcelain and other breakable-material dishes. They also have a sign that says no children, so it’s possible I cannot even bring them. Nothing for The Boy to eat and will likely get crusty looks from the tea house employees if I bring him his own food.
Options: Could hire a sitter for both the kids. Would cost money.

Party Three: Birthday party for The Boy’s classmate.
Location: Home of The Boy’s classmate.
Pros: Both children are invited to a childproofed home. Will get to do more than chit chat with other moms from The Boy’s preschool and The Boy will have the chance to play with his classmates in a school-free environment. One of the other boys I expect will be at the party has eating issues similar to The Boy’s, so he won’t be the only one not eating the cake and ice cream.
Cons: Am assuming that the other moms from the preschool class will be there. It’s possible they will not be and I will not know anyone. Am blessed with that rare social skill that can alienate people within minutes.
Options: Have excuse handy in case a quick getaway is necessary (eg: Her Name is Rio requires more tomato juice – she STILL stinks).

I’m going with party three. We’ll see how it goes.

*Part of the Carnival of Family Life.