Monkey Woes

Today we celebrated the Cannonball's Fifth Birthday (a week early, for scheduling reasons).

(On a side note,  I  think it's pretty impressive that I've managed to keep a human being alive for five years.)

Anyway, this year, because it's her fifth and she'll be going into Kindergarten in August, we decided to throw her a grand ol' bash to celebrate.  Kris and the mother of one of Alayna's classmates (Derrick) discussed having a co-party for the kids, seeing how their birthdays are a week apart, which would be beneficial for all parties involved seeing how a.) the cost of the party itself would be halved, and b.) more kids would come.

So that's what we did.  They (the moms that planned this - I don't plan on anything) decided on a bounce-house/Chuck E. Cheese-ish joint called Monkey Joe's.  Not sure if you have that where you're at, but if so. . . don't bother.  I wasn't too impressed with the place, mainly because I'm a grown-ass man who doesn't get down with bounce houses and shitty pizza.  They didn't really take adults into consideration when they designed the place, and c'mon. . . the adults are the ones that bring their kids to these places.  

It's not like the kids are loading themselves up into mini-vans and caravanning out to the local bounce house.

I mean, they didn't even serve adult beverages.  Jesus, Chuck E. Cheese at least gave you watered down Bud Light and cheap chardonnay in a plastic cup.  It ain't hard, and God knows the crap Chuck was selling wasn't expensive.  Monkey Joe's not only failed to provide beer or wine, but they didn't even have coffee.

Who the hell doesn't serve coffee in a restaurant?  That's, like, No. 2 behind water, isn't it?

Anyway, the party was a huge success - the kids had a blast and, in the end, I guess that's slightly more important than Yours Truly having a blast. . . which probably wasn't going to happen at a bounce house anyway.

Check it out:

Monkey Joe's is located inside Pointe Place Orlando, down by the Orlando Convention Center and all the upscale hotels.  Not sure why it was deemed fancy enough to be down there, but hey. . .

A lot like Chuck E. Cheese's, only cleaner and way more spacious. . .

Their bounce houses are pretty cool. . . if you're into that sort of thing.  (I'm not.)

We were assigned the Blue Room.

Big fan of bounce houses.

Derrick and Alayna discuss their primary concern for the party:  the probability of mixing up and taking home one another's presents by mistake.

Cakes and party favors. . .

A rare Voigt sighting.  We used to see these guys on an almost weekly basis, but having kids and being responsible adults spells doom for grown up fun time. . .

Fun in the Photo Booth

Birthday kids

Kris and her mom

You can imagine how loud this room was. . .

Abby can down a juice box in seconds.

Healthy lunch.

Holding court.

If you can believe it, lately Abby hasn't been clearing her plate.  Here, Abby doesn't want the rest of her third slice.

Back into the bounce house. . .

Keeping a steady vigil.

Monkey Joe makes his big entrance. . .

Alayna had zero fear of this dude.  In fact, she obnoxiously refused to let go of the ape's hand.

Every kid in this room is anxiously awaiting Monkey Joe's entrance into the Blue Room. . . except one.  Guess which one.

. . . did you guess Abby?

Grandma Jordan to the rescue. . .

Birthday balloons/t-shirts

Singing 'Happy Birthday'

Somewhat calmed down.

Chaos.

Monkey Joe, being molested by children.

The Taylers.  God knows our family pictures never look this happy. . .

I don't know what the hell this game was. . .

The Cannonball and her boyfriend. . .

The Aftermath (both kids got a shit-load of gifts.)

I wish I had a whack-a-mole machine in my house. . . I wouldn't have to waste so much damn time 'parenting.'

Selfies in the Photo Booth. . .

Silverware is for suckers.

Funned.  Out.

- Brian