Wasted My Kid's Birthday Party Money On Old Crap I Missed

So today was my kid’s birthday. And as you might expect with birthdays these days, it didn't feel special to me like the old ones used to when we had time to plan things and really make an occasion out of them. Anyway, this year everything is just so hectic. We got takeout for dinner since we were both busy. The cake was pre-made from a store because well... who has time to bake anymore? After the party ended, I felt a bit down. Thinking about my own childhood and all those wonderful homemade cakes my mom used to make, now it just seems like everything is rushed. So you know what I did? I hopped in the car and drove downtown. Went straight for that old flea market near our house where I used to spend hours when I was young. It's changed a lot over time but still had some of my favorite stores from back then. Wasted an hour or two just wandering around, picking up trinkets here and there - things I knew I didn't really need, stuff that brought me back in memory. Spent way too much money on items like old toys and picture frames that have no place in my home anymore but somehow felt right buying them. When I got home, my wife asked how the party was and I lied to her because what else could I say? Guess I just couldn't handle today feeling so... generic compared to childhood memories from decades ago. I know it’s not fair to feel nostalgic and disappointed in the way things are now but it's hard sometimes.