I thought it was supposed to be "parent hell"

TK was out of town, so to make sure we had something to do, I decided to take the boys to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time. By myself.

I wasn't sure if it was pure genius, or the worst idea ever. I mean, you hear all the stories of parents ripping on Chuck E. Cheese for being unbearable. I knew the boys would have fun, but would I lose my mind?

Oh my, it was so fun! Okay, that statement is based mainly on the fact that they have skee ball. I love skee ball. I haven't played skee ball in years.

No, I didn't just make my boys stand around and watch me play skee ball. I only played a couple games, and even in those games, I let them roll a few of the balls. Aren't I sweet? I have to go back with TK to distract the boys, though, so I can get in a few real games!

I told my mom that I was taking the boys to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time. She responded, "didn't you go there for your brother and sister's birthday party?" Um, yes. When I was like 9. So technically, it wasn't my first time there. I recall it being dark, and filled with alleyways of video games. Lots of flashing lights and blip beep beep noises. I can see how that might be overwhelming to a parent. I was worried I'd lose my boys in the maze of games. Turns out, this place was really bright. Lots of windows, and very open feeling. In fact, that is one of my few complaints: there really weren't a ton of games. Hardly any of what you would consider to be traditional video games. I mean, with 3 year olds, who cares? They can't really play traditional games yet anyway. But I was surprised.

There was also a climbing/tube/slide area. B-man and N-man love those things, so they climbed right up. Unfortunately, while they had no trouble getting up, the "stairs" they climbed up were too big for them to climb back down. Both of them hate those tube-slides, so they had no other option but to climb back down. B-man started climbing down, and got worried when his feet wouldn't touch the level below. I assured him it was hardly any drop at all and he could just let go, so he did. It was only about a two inch drop, so it was fine.

N-man started climbing down, and got worried when his feet wouldn't touch the level below. I assured him it was hardly any drop at all and he could just let go, so he pulled his legs back up, yelled "NO!", and proceeded to begin crying, freaking out, and begging for Mommy.

I look around. No workers. No other parents. So I do what any good mom would do...send up my other son. "B-man," I say calmly, "can you go up and help your brother?" "Sure," he answers. And up he goes. He gets up to the top, and is completely undisturbed by his wailing brother. In fact, this sight somehow reminds him that he wanted to explore the tunnel system once again. He squeezed past N-man, while I call up, "B-man! B-man! Help your brother!" In vain.

N-man had really worked himself up by now, and was obviously scared. He was begging for me to come save him. I look at the openings. I look at my belly. I look at the openings again. Oh, what the heck. I'm only 23 weeks pregnant. I'll fit. And I did. I scaled that structure and rescued my baby boy. He calmed down as soon as I got up there, and acted real cool like nothing was wrong. "N0w help me down," he said calmly. So I did. We got out, and he asked to play air hockey, like nothing had happened. Okay. I went with it.

Overall, it was really fun. I mean, skee ball makes up for almost anything (like terrible pizza, or getting stuck in climbing structures). I'm definitely going back. I may even take the boys with me again.

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Okay, there was one thing that was terrible. I mean, completely horrid. The signing animatronics. I forgot how loathsome they are. And they kept playing the same 4 or 5 songs over and over again. There was one song that was completely make-me-want-to-pierce-my-eardrums unbearable. I came home and googled the lyrics, and it's "Year 3000" by the Jonas Brothers. I've heard of them (my niece is in LOVE with them!), but I'd never heard any of their songs before. If you don't know this song, please, follow my advice and DO NOT find it on you tube or something. Because this song has found the intersection of unbelievably terrible and completely catchy. So you hate it, and it gets stuck in your head replaying constantly, driving you INSANE. I mean, it's still going through my head. I can't get it out. I've even tried singing "America" from West Side Story, the other get-caught-permanently-in-your-head-song. I hate to say it, but in the "Year 3000" vs. "America" battle in my brain, "Year 3000" has decimated "America" for air-time.

I'm worried this will be playing in my mind for the rest of time. Does anyone know the cure for the Jonas Bros?