“Mommy, bowling is fun!”

“Yes, Grace, that is why daddy and I wanted to take you here! We are glad that you had fun today!”

On Monday we knew we wanted to do something fun as a family, but it had to be inside due to the rain. So we decided to go bowling! Grace had never been before, so this was going to be a fun experience. I grabbed water bottles, snacks, and socks to head out the door.

When we arrived, we were the ONLY ONES THERE! We thought that Merle Hay Lanes would be full on a rainy holiday, but we were wrong! We had the whole place to ourselves! Grace got shoes – the smallest they had – size 8 – and the lightest ball they had – 6 pounds. The 6 pound ball was difficult for her to carry at first, but she was a pro by the end. I am not used to using “BIG BALLS” because I grew up using candle pin… any one can bowl with candle pin!

On her first try she stepped up to the line and gave it all she had with a cute between the legs maneuver… it barely made it to the pins. During the balls long journey she patiently waited in great expectation to what was going to happen…. Wow! It really did knock down the pins! “LET’S DO IT AGAIN!” Grace LOVED the idea that her very own special ball would be magically returned to her. She set out to roll the ball down the lane again but this time with more gusto and with a “bowling dance”. She created a special dance to cheer the ball down to the pins…and you know that it had to be a long dance – that ball takes FOR EVER to get there!

Hannah was likewise fascinated with the whole process! She wanted to touch all of the balls on the racks, though. She and I went on a little adventure to feel each one and put her chubby fingers in each hole. It was great having the whole place to ourselves…. I let Hannah run in the empty spaces and didn’t mind if she was on the carpeted area playing with a few of the balls.

Overall it was a fun morning! Grace enjoyed herself, and we, her parents, were thrilled with her love of simplicity! As we were leaving she said, “Mommy, we can do this again sometime if you want!” Yes, Grace, we WILL do this again!