A Simple Birthday Party

Yesterday was my son’s birthday. He asked for little—bowling with family and a good friend and then a movie. Compared to the parties my younger two ask for, this seemed like an easy day that wouldn’t cost me a fortune. So why am I broke?

Bowling

Well, we went to Port Jeff Bowl. I had a groupon that I was going to use but once there they said they wouldn’t accept them this week (because the kids were off).

I was annoyed but whatever—it’s my kid’s birthday, right? So I took my groupon back from the counter, folded it, and placed it back in my bag.  I told the woman, “It’s fine. I’ll just pay for it then.” She went on for several minutes about how I needed to make a reservation (I never have before). She seemed really angry and I had done nothing but show her my groupon and then say I’d pay for it.

After her admonition, and my promising that I would NEVER EVER try to use a groupon WITHOUT a reservation, she must have felt guilty, and then charged me 44 bucks for a pizza & pins package (instead of $64). I went to the pizza counter and ordered our pizza. I think the woman behind the counter was having a really bad day. She snapped at me when I asked to order nuggets for my daughter (the non-pizza girl). By the time I got my shoes on to join the boys bowling I was completely aggravated by Port Jeff Bowl. My boys have done the Coram Country Lanes. Honestly, it’s a clean place and everyone we’ve dealt with is quite friendly. I much prefer Coram Country Lanes to Port Jeff Bowl.

Movies

Normally I would take the kids to PJ Cinemas. But the older boys wanted to see Star Wars in 3D and that wasn’t playing at PJs. I had three other kids with me that would see a more age-appropriate movie: Secret World of Arriety. (Air-eee-ety) Official movie reviews: boys said that Star Wars 3D was “cool.” (Sorry, that the best you’re gonna get) For me, I was pleasantly surprised with Secret World of Arriety. The graphics are not a la pixar, so the nine-year-old boys were a little disappointed, but the story was pretty great. My daughter, 6, was in a trance during the whole thing. We give it two thumbs up.

Took the five kids and myself to Stony Brook AMC. I assumed the theater would be mobbed and I bought the tickets in advance. Nothing quite like showing up at the theater and having them sold out already. I used Fandango. The convenience was there but paying the fees for the advance ticket option was kind of annoying. Tickets for all of us (three kids under 10, one adult, and two teens) was 68 bucks. Then the kids wanted snacks. That’s where they got ya.

Everyone was allowed a small drink and small popcorn or a candy. I got nothing for myself. What did that cost me? 48 bucks. That’s some magical freakin’ popcorn. Now I know that movie popcorn is made by fine popcorn chefs--artisans if you will. You can tell by the way they scoop it into the paper bags. It’s all love.  How does a theater not feel absolute shame for charging the $6 for popcorn that costs PENNIES. 

My favorite local theater, hands down, is PJ Cinemas. Here’s why:

• There are coupons on the site. Like, really good coupons too. Check them out.
• Once you get home you can check your stubs to see if you’re a winner to two future movie passes. (I honestly always forget to look. But it’s a pretty cool deal)
• They honor matinee pricing til 6pm! $5! I have taken my kids to the movies many times and it’s not cost more than 20 bucks!
• The theater is small. No 2 mile walk to the bathrooms.
• It’s clean.
• It’s safe.
• PJ Cinema’s snacks would have never cost me 48 bucks. The snack prices are not publicized on their website but it’s always really reasonable.
• One time we went to the movies and one of my kids was NOT into it.  After a few minutes, my husband took her out of the theater and decided to let her play in the lobby while I stayed with the boys. The owner, who is almost always at the ticket counter, noticed. He called my husband over and gave him our money back.

If you haven’t already gone to PJ Cinemas you should. And take the short drive over to Coram Country Lanes for bowling too. It’s worth it.