Robbie is having a bday party this year. He would like to do Laser Tag.

He's going to be 9 and I'd like to let him make the guest list. He has decided on about 15 boys that he would like to include - mostly boys from his class and from baseball. He also would like to invite 3 children of close friends.

Problem A: As much as I'd like to save money, I kind of think it's a nice gesture to either invite ALL of the boys on his team and/or class instead of being selective. Robbie is ADAMANTLY against this idea (especially with regard to classmates). He's willing to not invite a few 'borderline' friends rather than invite the handful of extra boys that he did not include on his list. One of the boys bullied him in 1st and 2nd grade and another couple are just kids that he doesn't hang out with and doesn't want at his party. I can't get him to identify WHY these kids aren't his friends outside of the fact that he just doesn't really like them.

Problem B: If he invites the 3 kids who are children of close friends, I am going to feel like I need him to invite others. Most notably my sister's grandson (his 2nd cousin). He doesn't want to invite him because Mason only just turned 5 and would 'be in the way' during the laser tag games. He does want to invite his older cousins.. but I kind of feel like if he does that than he would need to invite his younger cousins too. It's like.. the guest list is so all over the place I can't say "Sorry - he's only having friends and no family" or "Sorry it's really for younger kids".

I guess I don't want anyone to feel hurt,insulted or left out.. but I do want to be able to honor Robbie's desires since it's his party.

Any suggestions?