Three Times a Night

About a month ago while out to dinner with the girls, my friends Emily, Jodie and I were discussing fun things to do with the kids while the weather still has us hiding indoors.

I had proposed the idea of perhaps taking Jackie to the Strong Museum of Play on a Saturday and their jaws dropped and faces filled with terror. From what my friends explained to me, Saturdays at the Strong Museum sounds pretty close to what I would consider to be my own personal Purgatory. 

Emily mentioned that she sometimes takes her son Rowan bowling. Jodie and I agreed that both Jackie and Maddie would really enjoy that activity. We decided to let Emily set it up, because the rule is ‘he who mentions it – must plan it’ (more so because Jodie and I are extremely lazy).

Friday night Jim and I explained to Jackie that we would be taking her bowling – and Jim, the league bowler, discussed with our daughter all of the rules associated with the strategic game. We assumed she would be a natural considering she has the ‘bowling gene’ (thanks to Poppy, daddy and Great-Grandpa and uncle Raymond). That’s right – we have a bowling gene – our family is steeped in a rich tradition of bowling excellence… jealous?

Jackie was so excited to be going bowling, being allowed, or rather made to throw a heavy ball across a floor and knock stuff over is a two year olds dream come true. At least MY two year olds dream come true.

Then on Saturday morning we packed up our kids and our husbands and went bowling!

When we first arrived Jackie went into her shy – reserved mode. Inside she is excited and happy – I swear

She warmed up by the third frame and the rest of the day was a huge success.

Maddie, Rowan and Jackie gave each other high-fives, did celebratory dances, ate pizza and french fries, shared fruit-snacks and soda … oh yeah and once in awhile threw a ball down the alley.

Rowan has really mastered the sport - telling us all how he has ‘mad skills’ and exclaiming his awesomeness

After his victory in Game 1 he even went as far as to get down on the floor and perform the windmill – which is your basic breakdancing power move.

I am proud to say that Jackie did end up with a 101 in the second game – when I told Jackie she got a 101, she said "Dalmations???"

Fun times. I wonder what great family fun Emily will set us up for next? subtle HINT subtle HINT

The Sinicropi’s and Verkey’s will be waiting…