Chuck E Cheese...Where a kid can be a kid and a parent can have major anxiety!

I had promised Bryce that we would visit Chuck E Cheese while he was on winter break. First mistake! Shouldn't have said anything and suprised him because every day until we went, that's all I heard. "Mom, when are we going to go to Chuck E Cheese?"

The other day we made the plunge and went. My kids, as I'm sure all other kids, LOVE this place. They are so excited to get in there and play those one token games. Parents, on the other hand, and I think I speak for all parents, HATE this place. When you walk in all you smell is the horrific scent of their flat, gross pizza and what smells like kids sweat and urine mixed together. I seriously wonder if kids pee on the floor there. The smell alone sends me in an anxiety state of mind. My kids cheer, "Yay! Chuck E Cheese!!"

You come in to an unenthusiastic worker stamping your hand and your kids hand with the same number, so no one will walk up out of there with the wrong one! The pizza costs a million dollars and the token to dollar ratio is probably 10:1. The games seem like a cheap version of a cool arcade and yet the kids can't stop playing. The lousy games spit out tickets that allow you to "purchase" the lousiest toys. Fun, Fun, Fun!! It feels like a rip off of Disneyland. All the excitement going in and then...this is it!

In a way I understand the appeal. At some point, I too, become obsessed with getting the most tickets. I know all we are going to get is some stupid slap bracelet for our hard work, but you really get dragged in. You walk around proudly with your handful of tickets. It takes like 100 tickets to get a tootsie pop. Come on! I probably just spent five bucks for one lollipop. But it wouldn't be the same if I just ran to the store and bought a whole bag for two bucks.

It is finally time to leave, Thank God!! We walk up to the worker to match our numbers. He looks at mine and then my sons. Oh No!! He can't find Bryce's number. Is he going to have to live here forever now? The man asks me, "Did he wash his hands?" Are you kidding me?!? In this germ infested hell hole, I made him wash his hands after going to the bathroom, before eating and squirted some antibacterial gel, randomly! So the man lets him go home with us, even though he doesn't have a number. What an effective system!

On the way home I am complaining to Bobby about the smell and wonder why they can't have better air circulation in there, like the ones in the Vegas hotels that filter out the smoke. Bobby is laughing at me. I ask Bryce if he had fun and he smiles and says, "Yes, thank you! It's so fun there!" That is why we go! For that one moment in the car, after enduring hell, your kid smiles and says thank you.

Of course, Bryce catching my disgust for the place then asks, "Mom, do YOU love Chuck E Cheese?"

The only honest reply I can muster up without taking away from his joy is , "I love that you love it!"

Please let that last visit hold us over for months!