A rite of passage ...

We took Sam to Chuck E Cheese's today, his first trip (since he was old enough to enjoy it, anyway). Brian and I were commenting on how much it's changed since we were kids, and not for the better. Back then it was THE place to be. It still is, but it has this run-down, close to bankruptcy feel to it now. The games aren't as good, there are no sinking balls, and there was a single animatronic Chuck E. Cheese. Sad. The pizza was OK, though. =) Mom and Dad played some games and 44 tickets later he got three stickers, a useless pin shaped like a badge and a lolli-pop. He took one look at the badge and threw it on the ground like it was garbage. Oh yeah, it was.
Sam had a blast and ate two slices of pizza. This was just an effort to get out of the house. Next week we very well may go back since there will be contractors everywhere!

Here are some really bad pictures to aid your imaginations.
Me, at Chuck E. Cheese's circa 5th or 6th grade, on the far right. I love my print shorts with coordinating Coca-Cola logo T-shirt. And I don't even need to mention the perm.


Sam on the Chuck E. Cheese car ride that also takes your picture. Despite the look on his face, he had a great time.

Sam really liked the animatronic mouse. Sorry again for the terrible cell phone picture!


By the way, I have to tell you this hilarious story I forgot to spread around. When we were at the preschool talking to the director, Sam was playing with the toys in the two-year-old room, including a plastic giraffe. The director started quizzing him on the body parts, and when she got to the tail on the giraffe, she said "What's that?"
And Sam said
"Penis."