Bowling

  

Can I just say that I love Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood?  I recently discovered that amazon has several Mr. Rogers episodes available for instant viewing, so the kids and I have started watching some of them this week.  I love how after only a couple episodes, my kids already feel that Mr. Rogers is their friend.  The show is wonderful: the slow pace, the life lessons taught, the cultivation of imagination, the continuity of a story line (adventures in Make Believe build on each other), and the simple truth that “you are special” just because you’re you.  Audrey beams when Mr. Rogers sings to her, and I can clearly recall that same warm fuzzy feeling from my own childhood.  The show is both nostalgic and inspiring to me.  I enjoy watching the episodes with the kids instead of using this “video time” as a chance to get some things done. 

Today we watched an episode in which Mr. Rogers goes bowling, and Logan was so fascinated!  I don’t remember if we’ve ever taken him bowling before or not, but he loved it when Mr. Rogers took his television neighbors (us) behind the scenes of the bowling alley where the pins and balls are set up.  Mr. Rogers also taught him how to bowl, giving gentle tips and clear demonstrations.

All afternoon, Logan begged to go bowling!  We didn’t have any plans, so it seemed like a good night for it. We stopped at Culvers for dinner and then made our way to Stardust Bowling Alley.  The kids were so excited!

Check out Logan’s shoes!

We couldn’t use bumpers for the gutters because a league was starting in a couple hours, but they had this nifty ramp that the kids could use to roll their ball down the lane.  They LOVED it. 

 

Audrey had a minor run-in with the bowling ball (she was trying to carry her ball and tripped with her face landing flat on the ball – thankfully we had a dentist along who could quickly make sure her teeth were still in place), but besides that we had a blast and can’t wait to go back again sometime.

Logan got a spare!  He was so proud!

And Emily wanted in on the fun too!

Hopefully this is only the first of many Darling Family Fun Bowling nights.  :)