January: Rolling Pin Day!

I have this goal of having a family activity each month.  Something beyond our normal routine, something we wouldn't do every week, or every month for that matter.  Right before Christmas, Rory has been asking about playing "rolling pins."  We pass two bowling alley's almost every day so it's been a constant reminder.  I am fortunate to have today off in honor or MLK, Jr. Day so we spent most of the day as a family.  Our first "family day" was at the bowling alley!

Rory seemed intrigued by swapping shoes process and he looked awfully cute in his bowling shoes.  I detest wearing the rental shoes or putting them on Rory but it's not an option and I'm not investing the funds to buy everyone bowling shoes.  I am one of "those moms" that brings everyone a fresh pair of socks in a ziploc baggie once we are done.  The used socks are taken home and promptly washed--with bleach.  :)

Rory was beyond excited!  The place we went had "special" bowling balls for the littler ones that were 5 pounds so he could maneuver pretty easily.   Josh gave him a run down of how it works and how to roll the ball--it's a good thing the ball only weighed 5 pounds because it came crashing down on the lanes time, after time, after time.   Rory tried a few different stances and I'm not sure that he ever really found one that he stuck with--he was so distracted by the other kids playing and the gargantuan televisions on the wall.  

If you googled "pure happiness" I'm pretty certain this is the picture that would pop up.  Rory was so proud of himself for doing everything all by himself.  

I teased Josh about winning the first game by quite a bit so to be fair I'm posting the picture of the game that he won.  (**I let him win though--who wants to beaten by your wife twice?**)

There were also arcade games at this place--it was a pretty neat setup and great for kids.  One of the first games Rory wanted to play was the claw game--I had to cringe because no one ever wins at this game and he was already pointing to toys that he wanted.  Sure enough--first try and he won a little dinosaur!  He was so excited--and since no of us will probably ever win at that game again I had to capture the moment.  

We finished off our morning by having a late lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  Really, where else would we go?  :)  It was a great day--lots of smiles, giggles, laughter, fun and a little pink dinosaur to remember it all.