READERS' PICK: Noise. Pizza. Noise. Video games. Noise. Running kids. Noise. Open the presents. Noise. Blow the candles out and eat the cake. Noise. Giant mouse. Noise. Thank God birthdays come but once a year. And thanks again for Chuck E. Cheese.
READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Peter Piper Pizza. These things are like people with cardboard signs--they're everywhere! And thank goodness for that, 'cause if you're going to your nephew's party over on the south side, or your daughter's soccer team is playing way out east, there's always a Peter Piper's nearby. It's a place where the kids can blow off that last ounce of steam in the play area, the parents can rehash that thrilling 0-0 tie, and everyone can eat pizza until they pass out. Not from the pizza; from the thrill of the day.