Chuck E. Cheese

Zoe was invited to a birthday party last weekend at Chuck E. Cheese. I haven't been to one of these places in a couple of decades, but I can tell you that not much has changed. It's still a crowded, chaotic, deafening, petri dish....with games. The place is really geared toward older kids, but Zoe was certainly in awe. I wasn't sure how she'd react when the guy dressed as Chuck walked out, but she liked the "moush" and shouted "Chuck-Eeeeeee."

The party was for a kid in Zoe's class at "school." We went because we thought it would be a nice opportunity to meet the parents of Zoe's school friends. However, the people I felt really bad for were Zoe teachers-- both were invited to the party. I'm sorry, but these gals spend 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week singing Barney songs, finger painting, building block towers, wiping noses and talking in 4 word sentences to a group of semi-cooperative toddlers. Do you think really they wanted to spend their day off at Chuck E. Cheese??

Now, if I may rant for a moment...
It was a rainy Saturday, so this place was packed-- 3 birthday parties and everyone else trying to escape the weather. 80% of the kids tearing around the joint were 5 and up. In my opinion, that is certainly old enough to know how to behave in public. What is it about these kinds of places that makes parents think they don't have to watch their kids? I was appalled at the stunning lack of parental supervision and discipline. The kids (and parents) were RUDE!! Poor Zoe was waiting patiently for her turn to get on one of the little rides, when this mom and her big kid pushed Zoe aside and went right in front of us! Seriously?

Anyway, here are a few pictures from the stinky cheese palace: