So… Tell Them
Is the OP willing to jeopardize his wife's relationship with his friends instead of simply expressing his desire to spend time with his family? It's worth noting that he should take pride in having loved ones he wants to be with.
However, it seems he's resorting to falsehoods about his partner. If his friends are even slightly more mature than he is, they should have no issue with him occasionally choosing family time over a night out.
