Chuck E. Cheese has a Whole New Look, New Games, and New Ways to Play!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Chuck E. Cheese's. The opinions and text are all mine.

Going to Chuck E. Cheese is like visiting an old friend.

We've celebrated birthdays at Chuck E. Cheese, report cards, and the odd rainy Tuesday in the middle of summer. My oldest discovered his love of pizza when he took his first bite of a Chuck E. Cheese pizza. And, my daughter got to experience the thrill of the ticket blaster on her last birthday.  I've even planned a PTA fundraiser there a few months ago.

Last week we celebrated Chuck E. Cheese's grand re-opening!

While I didn't think the North Olmsted location needed to be remodeled (and they didn't ask me), I was excited to see all the wonderful changes to our family's favorite restaurant.

Backyard Wilderness at the Great Lakes Science Center

We were provided with tickets to see Backyard Wilderness at the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater and admission to the Great Lakes Science Center to facilitate this conversation. All opinions are my own.

A few years ago, I stopped home with my son before dashing off to get his sister from daycare. I happened to glance in the backyard and I noticed a deer. It was so still and I was in such a rush that it registered as a memory.

My grandparents had a plaster statue of a deer resting on the ground. It was life-size but not lifelike.

When we walked out of the house the deer had moved. She was beautiful and scary all at the same time. All I could think was she could do some serious damage if she felt threatened by us.

I nudged my then six or seven-year-old to the car and she stared us down with majesty. I had no idea if she decided to claim our backyard as hers or if she planned to leave. Either way, I still had to get the baby from daycare.

I called the city and was informed that we live close enough to the Metroparks that we just had to share.

It was a very real reminder that we are part of a bigger world than our suburb.

The Great Lakes Science Center invited us to view the latest Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater movie - Backyard Wilderness.

What we did in the CLE: North Coast Feis

My kids competed in the North Coast Feis last weekend.

This was a big one because it was my son's first! He swore he would never dance in front of anyone but he did and we are so proud.

This is my daughter's second feis, but third time competing.

View this post on Instagram

His first Feis her second one. They started together two and half years ago and no plans to stop, yet! ❤️ #northcoastfeis #feis #irishdancing #siblinglove #siblingsunday #irishdancesiblings #eatplaylivecle

A post shared by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Feb 3, 2019 at 10:05am PST

They are halfway through their second year. Both are pretty average. Worlds and Nationals are pretty much out of reach and that's okay. They take a class once a week. Leading up to a feis they add another class or two.

My daughter complains some weeks. My son only worries about performing. I remind them that they will want to go to college one day and they will need something to point to and say, "I did this!"