Saturday, March 13, 2010

Wacky Fun!

When I was younger, and dreamed of the day that I would have beautiful, perfect children of my own, I envisioned days of peaceful playtime, and fun excursions to exciting places...

Then I had Ellie! When she was a one year old, we joined our local Mops group, and began fulfilling our destiny. We started going to playgroups, and Kindermusik. It was just like I'd imagined...

Then I had Annie! Things got a little tougher, but we managed. We continued with Mops, I even served on the steering team for a few years. We went to two Kindermusik classes, one for each girl. It was more hectic than I imagined it would be, and my energy started to dwindle a little...

Then I had Austin! And all of a sudden it hit me, I was exhausted. Ellie started school, we struggled to make it to Kindermusik and Mops. Soon I decided I liked being home more, it was just easier. Our days of exciting adventures wiped me out, and made me cranky. As Austin grew, and became, well...Austin!...I found there were very few places that could handle his level of energy. Throw in Ellie's sensory issues, and well, I became Hermit Mom.

Okay, maybe not Hermit Mom, but close! I pretty much stick to activities that will be easy, and with my small group of friends who don't judge. :) When I venture out of my comfort zone, I'm usually met with looks. You know, the ones from people who either haven't reached my stage of life yet, or have forgotten how it was. The dreams of perfect children, and endless days of exciting activities have become the running joke of my friends and I. Obviously real life with real kids is much harder than we thought it would be!

But something came over me the other morning. Something I hadn't felt since the girls were little. A restless stirring to do something, dare I say....Fun? I hopped online and after a bit of research, packed those little kids of mine up, and we headed to the "big city" to play!

We found a great indoor inflatables place called Wacky World Kidz. Their location was great, a straight shot from our town, and their hours and prices were great too. We called Grammie on our way out the door, and she said she'd be in town anyway, so she'd stop by and play too! More fun!

We hit the door, and POOF they were off!

They ran, they climbed...


They jumped, they played...


They slid down giant slides and smiled...


They were moving so fast I could barely take pictures!


They even played air hockey...


She might be a bit competitive...


They wore themselves out! Yay!


It was a really fun day. I am so glad I didn't squelch that feeling to go and do something fun. I am so glad to have had a day somewhat like the ones I imagined, it's been awhile! Since Austin was born, life has been much harder. He's been more than "just one more." Lately I feel like we're coming, albeit slowly, out of the fog. I feel like I can handle a bit more, not a lot, but just enough to give me hope that things will get easier! And I'm so glad to have found a fun indoor play place, we'll definitely be going back!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Funny that you used the term "hermit mom". I just recently stated that I am crazy close to just being a hermit because it is easier. :-)

Heather said...

oh, I too can relate to the hermit mom!! I love having a day to stay in with the boys and go absolutely no where. Glad you had fun and it was a successful adventure!

Alana said...

I feel like I have always been a hermit mom, if it weren't for you guys in those early days making me get out...who knows where I would be? My kids would surely have some serious social issues! :-) That place looks like some serious fun, I definitely want to try it! I'm glad you are coming out of the fog. I think it happens around the time your oldest gets to be threeish. And it gets better from there. Love you!!

MarytheKay said...

Oh, I so hear you on being hermit mom...sometimes it is just easier...

Thanks for the link to that place--it looks FUN. And maybe like something I will take the girls to do!!

Janelle said...

You are great! I love Hermit Shelley. I love Social Shelley, too.