I love it when my kids are active -- when they swim like crazy, run circles around the back yard, wrestle with their dad. Not only does it prime them for a good night's sleep, it allows them to log precious exercise time. I'm all about great sleep and great fitness -- which is why we're headed to Sun Country Sports Center for five-year-old Danny's birthday party today.

Eleven kids will join Danny for his birthday celebration, which will go something like this: They will run and jump and climb on a big play structure for about 30 minutes. Then they'll line up and follow a birthday coordinator who will guide them through a warm-up, all sorts of race events, and an obstacle course. Another 30 minutes here. Then they'll head into a party room for some cake before getting a few more minutes on the the play structure. Danny will open his gifts at home, because no one really wants to watch him tear them all open. It's so much more fun to get back to running, jumping, and climbing.

Ninety minutes of high-level activity awaits my birthday boy and his pals. I predict an easy bedtime tonight -- and I'm already beaming about the exercise my guy is about to get.