Chris is 7!!

Chris is turning 7 on the 11th but we will be in Pgh celebrating Uncle Sean's 40th B-day. We decided to have Chris' party early. I got a coupon in the mail a while back for laser tag and thought it might be something cool to try. We've done the bowling, mini golf, roller skating, etc parties so this was something new. I went online to check it out. All the photos are of a very DARK (black light - glow in the dark place). Rock music playing, smoke machines, other kids we don't know.... I was actually a little bit afraid it might be over whelming and even a little scary for some of the kids. But, they assured me it was very kid friendly and at any time a child wanted out the friendly staff was right there to help out.... OK - I reserved the party. Not a bad deal after all. Pizza Hut pizza, beverages, 2 20 minute games, coupons for more free games later and the wonder party hostess that does everything from cut and serve the pizza and cake, takes care of the drinks and even does the gift list thing! She had to keep telling me to sit down and relax. Hard to do I guess ... old habits....

So, we go into the "staging area". It's dark and smoky and there is another party of kids there (one year older and very intimidating). We are briefed but even I could not keep up with what was going to happen to us. They show us a map on the wall (as if we might have photographic memories and will be able to find our way around in there). They explain something about multiple bases that we need to shoot out (but don't shoot your own). Hold your gun with two hands or it won't work. Your vest keeps score for you. If you get shot you can't shoot for 5 seconds. Your vest and gun will recharge..... the list went on. Now - remember - the average age in this room was 7. Next we are ushered into another room where we are suited up into these electronic flashing red, yellow or blue vests... with guns. 20+ kids and a few adults are trying (in the dark) to get everyone ready when an insane alarm / buzzing noise comes on, the doors open and we find ourselves sprinting into the playing field firing frantically at anything with a different color flashing vest them what we have on. Hall ways, mirrors, ramps, dead ends, strobe lights, loud music.... and 20+ 4 feet tall kids running around with guns. 20 minutes went by in a flash. The game is over. Somehow we find out way out (they do not turn the lights on). We find out that our team WON!! We are then each given a score card and if we paid attention to the directions in the beginning we would have known to read the name on our vest so we would know which score card to get. About 3 kids got that message at the beginning of the game. The rest of us had no idea. Off to eat pizza, cake and open gifts. Chris got to put his candles on his cake and the singing was so loud that Chris had to cover his ears! Open presents and back in for another game! We had a better idea of how to play this time and ended up totally dominating this other team. I really don't know why - well, maybe it was because we had three adults and 10 kids to their 9 kids??? We showed no mercy.

Anyway, it was TONS of fun and I would highly recommend this for any age! For sure we will go back. Even if it's just the 4 of us!! Chris had a GREAT time!! I've made 15 cakes for the two kids over the past 9 years. This was the first time I did not have to make a cake!!