But First . . .

I have a huge amount of Michigan trip blogging to do, but life seems to not slow down long enough for me to catch up! Thus, I shall provide "since we've been back" highlights for your reading enjoyment :) In no particular order . . .

Our friends the K's have a bunch of early-in-the-year birthdays. You may recall our ice skating adventure not too long ago, and that Mrs. K and I snuck away for lunch to celebrate her birthday. Well, today it was the bowling fan's turn to celebrate his big day. And the first opportunity--ever--for our kids to bowl for real (other than at like arcade-like places with mini bowl options).


Before we left, I did a short tutorial that included how to  stick your fingers in the ball (make the *I love you sign* in ASL), the basics on the approach and release, and then of course the *bring extra socks to put in your own shoes afterwards* mandate ;)

Their first reaction upon walking in to the bowling alley, "Whoa!!!!" It is really pretty with lights and colors--this one is clean too, and the food was pretty good (pizza, mmm).

Everyone found a ball, donned their shoes--which of course G$ loved: "I should get a pair of these just to wear around all the time!" His were Velcro--extra sweet! Then our game began--and went really well! Strikes and spares were thrown!



The kids' guitar teacher and his wife were also at the party, he started calling himself Mr. Sparey (Mr. Perry :) He was impressed that the kids picked up the game so quickly!



We often joined in the K's seven-year-old in chanting enthusiastically, "Almost a strike!! Almost a strike!!" as one or two pins refused to tip over :) Little baby D was dancing all over the place, squeaking at unimaginable pitches, and stating, "Want to open presents, too!" One fun idea the K's had--everyone at the party signed a real-sized bowling pin with Sharpie in lieu of a birthday card for the birthday boy (who turned five).



The kids and I had our own lane, next door to the bumper bowlers. Caelan ended up winning the first game by a handful of points. As we started the second game, I teased, "Well, now that I've taught you all how to play the game--I'll start playing for real." And then I threw a strike on the very first turn, lol! We'll never know how that game would have turned out, because we ran out of time--but I'll share that I ended the game on a spare ;)

It was really fun bowling with the Crew! Last year I signed them up for the Kids Bowl Free program, and we never once used the dozens of games we could bowl free each month of the summer. We may be correcting that for 2018 :)