Article: KIDDIE BIRTHDAY PARTIES ARE OUT OF BOUNDS WHEN SKY'S THE LIMIT, CHILDREN'S CHARACTER CAN SUFFER ... NOT TO MENTION THE PARENTS' POCKETBOOKS.(U)

Byline: Chris J. Parker Correspondent

Jessica Grajeda knows kids' birthday parties.

Besides being a mother of two children, ages 11 and 14, Grajeda is co-owner of a Gymboree play center in Valencia where birthday parties fill her calendar every week.

But even Grajeda was taken aback by the grandeur of one recent birthday party. She was hired to lead an hour's worth of Gymboree-like activities at the party, which was held in the clubhouse of a nearby planned community.

In addition to Grajeda, the birthday child's parents hired a clown to entertain the children. A balloon arch framed the party room's entryway. There were separate hot ...

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