Chuckie Cheese Memories and Meltdowns

Saturday night we made a family visit to Chuckie Cheese, with full intentions of spoiling our little cheerleader with unlimited fun.

After purchasing the 100 coin coupon deal, we discovered it cost only 1 coin per game. Oops! Why did the attendant not ask us if we were supplying a birthday party?

As we started to spend our large bucket of coins, we discovered our little cheerleader enjoyed only the sit and honk car ride.

While depositing, what seemed to be the 49th coin into the car ride, I witnessed lots yucky kid stuff. The place was full of snotty noses and in particular, gross me out fashion, I witnessed a child peeing in their pants. As it ran down their leg, they tried quickly to walk off, knees together, as not to let anyone notice. I then was fixated on the gazillion floor stains, potential uh-oh moments. I am sure (well hopefully) most of these stains resulted from spilled sodas and whatnot, but it defiantly had me wondering. I then questioned every knob, seat, button, and coin we touched. Where are my lysol wipes?!

Our cheerleader was eventually over the honking, so I ended up spending the remaining coins trying to beat the coach at all the games.

A wonderful thing happened in the midst of our competition. The cheerleader's job was to collect the tickets, after the coach and I were finished playing at each machine. Then, she would trade the tickets for a new coin to put in the next machine. A curious (unsupervised) little girl walked up to our little cheerleader and stood, starring. Without a word spoken, little cheerleader handed off her tickets to the curious child and watched her run away. As the coach and I stood both stunned and amused, the cheerleader whispered "your welcomed", smiled, waved her hand in the air saying "peesse," anxious to dig a new coin from the bucket. It was a great moment for us and her, even though she did not know it.

The coin bucket was finally empty, my defeat against the coach was evident, and the cheerleader was restless.

On our way out, we took a family picture in the cartoon booth. While we anxiously awaited printing,(okay, just me because I want the cheerleader to grow up thinking her mommy is cute. We took 2 pictures so I could re-pose.) the cheerleader found a sucker half eaten on the floor and started chomping away! Horrified, I screamed (yes, a little over dramatic but between the pee and snot in that place, wouldn't you?)!

Swiftly the coach escorted me and our little cheerleader out, as she started smacking down the 4 pieces of (new)candy she won from the 200 tickets turned in.

If you can see past the pee, snot, unsupervised children running a muck, and the horrible tasting pizza, you too may find a great moment to cherish at good ol' Chuckie Cheese (lysol wipes not included).


What great moment do you have hidden among chaos?

Menu Planning Monday

Between e-mealz, flylady, and the grocery game my inbox is full of recipes, tips, and great deals to keep our meal times both frugal and easy. Using these resources have helped reign in our grocery bill, keep the coach happily feed, and satisfy my needs to both cook from scratch and make a quick meal.

This week...

Breakfast~ steel cut oatmeal with fruit, strawberry pancakes, cereal, and homemade egg mcmuffins.
Snacks~ yogurt parfaits, crescent rolls with honey, carrots with ranch dip, rice cakes with peanut butter and raisins, and granola.
Lunch~ poppyseed chicken casserole, chicken fajita salad, tuna sandwiches, broccoli and cheese soup, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Dinner~ pork roast with mixed veggies, chicken cordon blue, broccoli lasagna, and salsa spaghetti.
We will be eating leftovers on some nights and on game night we will be eating our fair share of nachos and frito pies!

What's going to be on your table this week? Check out Org. Junkie for more ideas!

Dating During the Season

Photo by: cjdalusio at photobucket
Football season is here! Not only is my coach rarely home, when he is home, he is doing one of two things, sleeping or watching football.

The thought of a date night gives me a chuckle. Honestly, if he was home at a reasonable hour, I would probably ask (barter)him to watch our daughter so I could grab 30 minutes of quiet reading time at the local Starbucks.

A dear friend, who happens to be a coach's wife, encourages date nights, especially now! She recently made plans to drop the kids off at the grandparents' and catch a bite with her coach, as they made their way to scout a game. This is what we, as coach's wives, would refer to as "a date night". I applaud her effort and her "take what you can get and enjoy it" attitude.

Although I grumble at the thought of sitting through yet another football game, I too will make an attempt to seek the "goal" of a winning marriage, even if it means I will be taking one for the team. I smile at the thought of my coach seeing things from my view (the bleachers) and you never know, maybe he will even teach me a thing or two about his beloved mistress, football.

I am off to convince my coach to lug me along (without complaint)on his next scheduled scouting trip.

Have other date night tips, chime in!