We’ve had a new baby in our lives this past year, my beautiful granddaughter, Chloe, and I have noticed how her presence has managed to bring out the child in all of us.
With the family at home for the holidays, we planned a first birthday celebration for Chloe at Chuck E. Cheese, “where a kid can be a kid.” When I mentioned the party to my twenty-six year old son, he groaned “Really, mother. Do we have to?,” I knew that I had my work cut out for me.
But the work was not so difficult. We arrived at this fine dining establishment to be greeted by a cheerfully decorated table, complete with balloons and party accessories. What caught the eye of all of the big kids were the cups of tokens at each place setting. My son was the first to ask if he could take just a few and play some games. Soon the table was empty of guests. All of my adult babies had headed off to the skee ball lanes and the football toss.
My husband had scooped up Miss Chloe and had taken her off to ride some of the rides. Since I was all alone at the table, I grabbed a few tokens and headed off myself! Some time later, we all re-grouped at the table to gaze at the pile of prize tickets we had won. Of course, the boys were comparing whose pile was the biggest!
After munching on some pizza, we were visited by Mr. Cheese himself. Chloe was the most mesmerized by this special visit, but the adults enjoyed it just the same. We sang and danced, and clapped and laughed. We feasted on Sesame Street cupcakes and fruit punch before heading back to use the remaining tokens.
The party ended with the gift opening and some more singing and laughing. We gathered up all of the goods and headed out towards the exit, stopping only at the counter to exchange the pile of tickets for some Chloe toys. I hugged my little granddaughter and told her that I was very sorry that I could not celebrate with her in the Netherlands on her actual party. My son-in-law turned to me and said, “Oh, but this celebration was so much more fun!”
And then we left Chuck E. Cheese’s smiling and laughing, reliving a child’s birthday party and having a blast. There was a little kid in each one of us that afternoon…it is a place were even adults can be a kid.
I plan this year to continue to look at life through a child’s eyes; to find pleasure in the simplest of things, and to laugh. I invite you to do the same. Happy New Year!
