Where a Kid Can be a Kid (and a parent can have a mental break down)

Today was the day my children have been waiting for, for two whole weeks.  They have been anxiously awaiting, counting down days, & nagging us with endless questions such as "how many more days" or "is today the day"?  You would think we were going to Disney World, but no, it was Chuck E. Cheese.  Today we went to the place where a kid can be a kid (and a mom can loose her mind) for Madeleine's BFF's birthday party.  The girls woke up early, ready to go.  But, alas, the party was not until noon.  Madeleine stood in front of the clock counting down the minutes until it was time to go, documenting every minute.

They had high expectations for this place and thankfully it did not disappoint.  They had a blast.  I, on the other hand, did not.  I was driving myself crazy trying to keep track of them amongst the hundreds of other children.  I had an iron clad grasp on Audrey, but Madeleine kept taking off with her friends.  Seriously, Chuck E. Cheese = an overprotective, worried mom's nightmare!  Thankfully, I did not lose Madeleine permanently and we all made it home in one piece.  Now, on to some pictures.

This play structure was Audrey's favorite.  No tokens required and it had a slide!

Racing in the Kentucky Derby.

Ski ball is not Audrey's forte.  Balls were flying . . . across the arcade.  Speaking of which, I caught a shot of one of the balls in mid-air.  A fact that I am quite proud of.

Madeleine and Abby are playing a game where all they had to do was touch the screen and pop bubbles.  Very kid friendly and easy to earn tickets.

Speaking of tickets, Madeleine earned quite a few.  She carried them around proudly in that cup.

Such good friends.

The birthday party went up front for a performance from Chucky E Cheese himself.

Audrey preferred to hang back with me . . .

 . . . for awhile.  Then this big purple monkey thing caught her eye.  It was playing the keyboard and she kept trying to grab his hands.

Some more pictures of the girls having the time of their life.

Madeleine and Abby riding a roller coaster simulator.

Audrey and I rode it together also.

Crazy driver!

Another roller coaster ride.  Hopefully she will be content with the simulated rides for the rest of her life.

The girls loved this ride.  The faster you pedaled the higher you went.

At the conclusion of the party the girls were excited to cash in their tickets for a prize (Madeleine picked out a pencil and bracelet while Audrey picked out a small, blue, stretchy frog that she is currently sleeping with).  I was excited to go home and take a nap.  :)