After court on Thursday, we piled the kids into the car to head out for an evening of merriment. Finding something that qualifies as fun for all of the kids is a daunting task. There isn’t much that an eight year old enjoys that an almost eighteen year old enjoys as well.
Enter Dave & Buster’s in Providence Rhode Island. Now, there are other kid’s entertainment places that are similar, but there are usually hordes of kids there. And as much as I love kids, I needed an evening that included a glass of wine and less chaos.
Dave & Buster’s was a great choice because there was something for everyone. Including libations for those of us who needed them.
After such a serious day, this was exactly the medicine our family needed. A night of wanton silliness. A chance to blow off some pent up mental steam that we were all brimming over with.
We certainly gravitated towards the more physical games. Whack-A-Mole was a family favorite and boy did we beat the snot out of those little critters.
The boys threw themselves into epic air hockey battles. I tried to play with Aidan, but after almost losing a few acrylic nails, I moved onto safer games. Skeeball. Skeeball is so much more my speed.
Shannon and I shoved a reluctant Aidan into the photo booth. He hid behind us while we mugged it up with the camera. What I wouldn’t do to have a photobooth in my own home. Way too much fun.
But mostly we were just interested in clubbing poor defenseless cartoon characters into oblivion, apparently. If it wasn’t Whack-A-Mole, it was some other type of club it over the head kind of game. Sort of barbaric, but it sure did the trick.
Dad actually hit the jackpot on his game. Can I tell you that it takes a really long time for 1,000 tickets to spit out of a machine?
Can I also tell you that for the price we paid to win the 1,000 tickets, we could’ve let the kids pick just about anything they wanted from Toys R Us?
But that matters not. This one night was not about penny pinching. It was about letting go. Letting go of disappointment. Letting go of bad memories.
It was a night about laughing and playing. About celebrating our being able to get through a tough time in one piece. And remembering the reason we fought so hard to survive it.
This is not a sponsored post. We paid for our evening at Dave & Buster’s. All opinions are my own.
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Sounds like the perfect ending to a stressful week. So happy you and your family had a chance to get out and have some FUN!
It was so much fun. The kids wanted to go to Chuck E Disease, but I’m not paying the doctor co-pays that would result from it.
love love love the pictures especially the photo booth ones and the rare pic of your hubby
looks like that is just what yall needed. finding an activity that the whole family can participate in (especially one with the age ranges yall have) is definitely hard but its looks as if you got it done 
Yes! I was so pleased that Dave & Buster’s amused them all. There weren’t too many kids and there were things adults could enjoy too. The perfect compromise.
Thanx for the fab. Review i have hesitated going there for the longest. I think it’ll be a great night for our kids next weekend.
If you go, pay attention to the special game play/entree deals. We bought dinners that came with game cards which made it so much more economical. We did the double charge cards and that gave us enough game play for two hours. Worth it!
Omg I love Dave and busters but yes it can be expensive. And how nice you came to visit The Ocean State…Born and raised and lived here all my life!
Actually, it’s not that far of a drive for us! I’m not sure why we don’t visit your lovely state more often. I’d very much like to do that fire on the water thing you guys have downtown. Every year we say we are going to go and we never do. Maybe this year!
Water fire is an amazing event. Here’s the schedule if you are interested for the rest of the year. http://waterfire.org/schedule/2012-2/
Here’s info for Sept 15 when they are including 100 illuminated Japanese koi fish on canoes and kayaks. This is probably the best night to go!!
http://waterfire.org/blog/2012/waterfire-clear-currents-2012/
That sounds amazing. Thank you so much for the links!
There is also one in Braintree, possibly a bit closer, but I guess it depends on what type of a ride you like
I’m glad you could all have some much needed fun.
Seriously?? I had no idea. Where?
It’s right by the Plaza, in the old Circuit City building.
What a great way to blow off some pent up steam! Everyone looks like they had a fabulous time and enjoyed themselves. Very happy for you Melanie that you had this opportunity to shake off the day’s events and begin moving on. Keep fighting the good fight!
Great post!
Yay for fun! I can tell by the pictures, that Dave & Buster’s was a much needed night!
You all deserved it!!
Looks like a lot of fun was had by all. I know that your day in court did exactly go asyou would have liked, but take it from someone who has recently lost a great deal, you are so blessed to have survived you ordeal. Our family is our greatest gift and our greatest joy.
Im so glad to see you and your family look so happy Melanie! You all definitley deserve it!
Sounds like just what was needed for everyone. It IS tricky to find common ground fun for 18 year olds and 8 year olds at the same time