Chunky Cheeses

There's a Chuck e Cheeses in Roanoke, but had yet to ever go. They've built a lot of new stores fairly recently in our area, so we rarely go to Roanoke unless we have to. Braden needed to go to Roanoke so he could get measured for a tux for his friend Tommy's wedding, so we decided to make it a family affair. Since we were going and it was raining and we had nothing planned pretty much all weekend, we decided we'd hit up Chuck e Cheeses afterwards. Even though Blythe had no idea what Chuck e Cheeses was, it still helped us get her down for a nap ("if you nap, we'll go to Chuck e Cheeses...").



Fortunately Ethan took a great 3 hour nap and Blythe had a decent one too, so yesterday late afternoon we were on our way. First we went to the mall to go by the tux place. We accidentally picked the entrance to the mall with the 2 small rides as soon as you walk in. So instantly Blythe HAD to ride one. It was a small carousel ride, so at least Ethan could ride too (even though his experience at the Salem Winter carnival on a carousel was not too pleasing for him). Ethan didn't exactly look like he was having a blast, but he didn't try to get off so one dollar later (yes, a freaking dollar for a 30 second ride), we were done. But to our surprise, Ethan would NOT let go of the pole on his horse. He did not want to get off. We literally had to pry his hands off of it (and then of course he cried and then wouldn't go back in his stroller). So Blythe rode in the stroller. After finding the tux place and stopping in the store with the puppies (for a brief minute of entertainment for the kids....okay, and me too), we then went to Old Navy. I had the "friends and family 30% off coupon" that Braden might want to use (since I had already hit up the Old Navy near us). You can't go in an Old Navy without visiting the kids section though, so we of course got a few things for them including a cute pink hat that Blythe loved and wouldn't take off, but will likely never wear again now that we bought it.



Several times it looked like she might have to potty but she kept telling me she didn't, so I let it go assuming she'd tell me when she had to go. So we're at the checkout when she gets out of the stroller to play with all the balls and other crap they put by the checkout in hopes the children will con their parents into buying them. And I notice the stoller is wet. WTF? I ask her if she peed and she says yes. So I take her to the bathroom while Braden is checking out. Fortunately she was wearing a dress and she didn't get it on that, but did get her underpants and leggings wet. Old Navy doesn't sell underpants, but I had to get something since we were headed to Chuck e Cheeses next. So I bought shorts (and of course had to get 2 other things since it was "3 for $15"). Finally we were done there and off to Chuck e Cheeses.



The place was kind of tucked away so several U turns later, we were there. I knew it might be crowded since we got there at 6pm on a rainy Saturday, but we were shocked to see a line out the door! We sure as hell weren't waiting in line in the rain to get in. But I saw most of them had gifts, so I thought maybe they were in line for a birthday party. I got out to check. Another lady I asked wasn't sure so we both went to the front and the guy said if you weren't with a party you didn't have to wait. Sweet. So we parked and went in.



After entering into the gates of eternal hell funnest place on Earth, we realized the mistake we had made. Crowded was not even the word. Plus this Chuck e Cheese was not laid out like both of us had remembered. We had remembered games and rides that were more spread out and a separate room for the Chuck e Cheese band, which also served as the party room/eating area. This Chuck e Cheese had it all in one not so big room. Everything crammed together with tables strewn throughout the games and rides making it even more difficult to get to anything. We searched for an empty table until we finally found one and put our stuff down. I went to put in our order for pizza, drinks and tokens and only then realized that people were actually in that long line in the rain waiting for a table. And we had just skipped everyone and plopped ourselves right down. Well, whatever. No one told us to move so, sorry suckas! We ended up getting 50 tokens (cause I had a coupon) and I soon realized how long it would take us to use 50 tokens considering you had to wait for EVERYTHING. And Blythe was content playing in the "tokenless" play gym and Ethan was happy playing on the toddler play gym and going down the slide like this:



But we had the tokens, so we had to use them. Ethan went on several rides and even played a few games. Blythe played a lot of games with Daddy and went on a couple of rides too. Getting anywhere in there was ridiculously difficult since half of the people (including the kids) were obese (yes, past the stage of "overweight"). Maybe we're just spoiled since we live in a college town where most of the people are pretty fit. Really it was sad and incredibly frustrating trying to maneuver in there!



Anyway, we finally finished up our tokens and saved the pony ride to last, which Ethan loved (Blythe did too).



We counted our tickets (all 62 of them) so Blythe could buy a comb and a tattoo. It was 8pm by the time we got in the car. Braden says we are never going back. I'd like to believe him. I'm sure we'll find ourselves at Chuck e Cheeses again, but maybe just not that one.