Chuck E. Cheese and a Happy Birthday

Yesterday marked the 35th birthday of the kid favorite pizza/game parlor Chuck E. Cheese where my children attended at least half a dozen birthday parties when they were younger.  Depending on your viewpoint this venue is either loads of fun or Xanax-imperative.  As a friend once said to me, "there's a reason they serve alcohol at this place."   However, my photo albums reveal that we bravely held at least two of our very own family celebrations at Chuck E.  Cheese.  My daughter's 3rd birthday:  

She loved this mouse so much that when the restaurant manager said he may not
have an employee available to wear the costume during the party,
my husband agreed to do it.  Fortunately, that wasn't necessary,
but it even more completely endeared my husband to me.  

Taking a break from token madness to enjoy pizza and cake.

and my son's 5th birthday.

The invitation

The cute castle cake, complete with drawbridge and moat

I know, a Chuck E. Cheese party with a Knights and Castles theme? I'm creative like that.  Truth be told, I wanted an old fashion at home party but decided having the party at the locale of his choosing was more important than my desire to fulfill some idealized vision I had for the perfect party (along with that bit of enlightenment came the knowledge that we would return home to clean house when the celebration was over).
   

Tate on the left with friends, Jack, Hadley and Tom

The photo below must have been taken at a friend's birthday (I have no recollection), but I love this adorable shot of Tate driving a car, as friend Max looks on.

And a few other random photos from our periodic(?) visits courtesy of the CEC photo booth:

We've obviously loved Chuck E. Cheese at our house over the years so here's to many more mouse birthdays!