Bowling!

Almost two weeks ago Friday we went on a special outing with Aunt Lori, the girls and Noah, who had the day off from school for Winter break (You’d think they’d already had “winter break” with the 7 snow days they’ve had so far this year, but I guess not!). Lori had kept the destination secret from her kids, but Elijah kept bugging me about where we were going, so I told him we were going bowling with Lexi and Tori and Noah. Eli immediately asked, “Like on tv?” Yes, like we do on the tv – but for real this time! My child’s first experience with bowling came, not from a real bowling alley, but from the Wii bowling . . . what a sign of the times.

When we met Lori at the alley the kids had figured out where they were and were super-excited. We walked in and Eli looked around and said, “Bowling!” and started jumping up and down. We had to wait forever for a lane and then couldn’t find appropriate weight balls, but we persevered and eventually the crowds of children left and we were all set to go.

Elijah used the ramp the first time, but once he saw Noah and Tori throwing the ball he didn’t want to use the ramp anymore at all.

Hmm, they don't bowl with a ramp on the Wii, Mom.

So then Eli tried throwing like a baseball (quickly stopped by Mom) and then rolling the ball. That worked okay, but the ball was very slow. And then one time the ball just stopped about ¾ of the way down the lane. We called for help and a man retrieved the ball for us – and then Mommy said that we had to use the ramp.

I hit bowling pins! Yay!

This is taking a while. Time for a thumb break.

At least this one is still going!

Elijah was done with bowling for the most part by then and was more interested in the touch screens that you entered player’s names in. We got “yelled” at for touching them though, so then Elijah had a bit of a tantrum. Oh well, buddy!

Noah was actually quite good at bowling and picked up a few spares and even got a strike! And that was with not having a ball that really fit his fingers correctly. I think he could be one good little bowler!

What form!

I think Tori was so cute with the way that she threw the ball – she did not want to use the ramp and instead would just side throw the ball down the alley and then strike all these funny little poses as she waited to see if she hit anything. It was hilarious!

Tori chucks her ball down the lane pretty well.

Tori strikes a pose.

Lexi used the ramp for the most part, and seemed content to wait her turn playing with the pink and purple balls and talking to Lori and I. I got the cutest picture of her perched on the edge of the ball return with her legs crossed – sooo Lexi right there!

How adorable!

At the end of the game Noah ended up with a 105, and Eli, Lexi, and Tori all tied with 72. Yes, you read that right – they all tied! Of course, if you look at the score card you’ll see that Eli got a spare or two and a strike, so I think it’s pretty clear he had a little help from Mom and Aunt Lori. Still, it was nice that that we didn’t even have to lie to them to tell them they tied.:)


After bowling we had lunch together and then headed home. The kids keep talking about going bowling again, so I hope we all go together again soon. Almost every time we go to get in the car and see Lexi and Tori, Elijah is convinced that we’re going bowling and gets all excited. Even though he only bowled a little over half his balls himself he seemed to have a great time!