Where A Kid Can Be A Kid

We ventured out on our first trip to Chuck E. Cheese's this weekend. We figured Jack was old enough to appreciate the games and rides now. Callie liked all the blinking lights and music, of course, but didn't really have any idea of what was going on. In this picture, she was dancing to the music while the ride spun around.

Jack rode a horse to play some sort of horse-racing game. It's funny that in all the pictures, the kids don't really look very excited, but they really were having tons of fun!

The kids rode this ride with a screen that showed the actual footage you'd see while riding a roller coaster. The ride moved according to the movements on the screen, so it was like they were really riding a roller coaster. You can see Jack's arm around Callie. He got protective of her once the ride started because she was wiggling around.

It was so funny to watch them ride this one. Jack kept saying, "Hold on, Callie!" and he would hold her back so she wouldn't fall out. He was really getting into it!

This is the standard ride that exists in all Chuck E. Cheese's where the kids take a ride with Chuck and a camera takes their picture, then prints it for the parents to cherish forever. Unfortunately, neither child would cooperate when Chuck told them to "Smile!" 

No smiles here. Both kids were just so enthralled with everything happening around them, we couldn't even get them to look at Mom and Dad, either! 

Callie thought this game was hilarious. Her face is just barely visible, but she was having a great time. Jack was trying his best to bop the letters, but he was just too gentle. He's not a rough kid, and that's fine with us!

 Jack and Dad piloting a helicopter. Definitely male bonding time.

Callie was fascinated by the lights on this game. She wanted to touch everything she could possibly reach. We probably could have stayed for hours and the kids would have just wandered everywhere and pushed every button possible.

Once Jack realized he got to pick prizes, he was very excited. He knew just what he wanted, too. He picked a big lollipop, complete with Chuck E.'s face printed right in the center. He had plenty of tickets left after that, so we, as parents, made an executive decision to get a ball and a small candy to take home.

The kids both saw Chuck himself a couple of times and neither child cried or freaked out. They both just seemed in awe of the giant creature, with his huge nose and ears. We didn't get a picture with Chuck, but they'll most likely remember seeing him for a while. Hopefully not in a nightmare!