Whack-a-Mole

I have this friend that has a friend who blogs a lot about raising babies, anyway, she is really funny and I enjoy reading her blog a lot. Recently, she was blogging about trying to get her kids to bed. I loved it, as this is what happens every night around 7:45 p.m. at the Renfroe household. Without futher delay, here is her post on Whack-a-Mole:

"Chuck E. Cheese.

Being a mother of four, we have attended a couple of birthday parties at casa de Chuck E.

It's a little bit like my worst nightmare only in my nightmares I don't have to spend any money and when I wake up, I'm only surrounded by four wild banchees.

Lights flashing, children running around like crazy and you're constantly counting heads making sure yours are in sight.

I've even been tempted to put my kids in matching bright orange shirts just so I could spot them more easily. It's also the tokens and the prizes at the end that make my head spin.

It's pretty fun to go and spend about $50 then look in my hand to see what we got for our money.

A spinner, a spider ring, a parachute guy, and two children crying because they don't have enough tickets to buy the fuzzy pencil toppers.

"Why don't you just save your tickets until next time and you can get something you really want."

Like I have plans of ever coming back if I can help it.

Ok, actually, last time I was there, Chuck kind of redeemed himself. (I said 'kind of' Chuck, don't get excited.)

I was playing skeet ball with my kids, helping Sadie on the Barney moving car thing, and that's when I found it.

The game of all games.

Whack a Mole.

I totally forgot about Whack a Mole!

WHACK A MOLE!!!!

Bedtime at our home is just like Whack a Mole!

All four are tucked in, read to, prayed for, and kissed.

Put your token in...One's up. "Mom, I'm itchy."Down.

Three's up. "Mom, I'm thirsty." Which will inevitably be followed by, "Mom, I have to go to the bathroom."Down.

Two's up. "I know you said we can't get out of bed, but what if the house is on fire?"Down.

Four's up. "Are there going to be any tornadoes tonight?""We've never had a tornado. No more Wizard of Oz for you."Down.

I'm freakin' living WHACK A MOLE!

Except, I don't get one of those fun little clubs with the padded top and there are no tickets spitting out of their beds when I tuck them in for the fourth time each.

If there were, I think my prize case would have chocolate, wine, and season 2 of the Office.

Even so, I will play it to train, to hone my skills.Chuck E. Cheese's is still 'not my favorite', but I have begun to see it now in a different light.It's a tactical training ground.

We've got another birthday party coming up. I'm ready.

Bring it, my little mole friends. Bring it. "