Status and one-upsmanship happened.  When I was a kid it was cake and ice cream, a goodie bag, and some simple birthday games.  Games like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey and a coin under your plate gets you a special prize.

Not today-- live pony rides, moon bounces, DJ's, ice cream trucks, and petting zoos.  Everyone has to keep up with and exceed the Jones now don't they.  It is really out of hand.

Higher and higher expectations are being instilled in kids today . . . I can't wait to see them as adults when real life disappointments them . . . it won't be pretty.