Bowling, Teddy Bears, and Candy Houses

We've had the best family nights recently. I don't think there is much we enjoy more than spending time together as a family. We absolutely love planning things that we know the boys will enjoy, then watching them take it all in, discover and explore the world around them. It's like we are discovering right along with them. It's truly a blast and always fun to see how it will turn out and what they will enjoy doing or not doing.

First, we decided to give bowling a try. I wasn't sure how this would go but had a coupon and decided to find out. Ty LOVED it. He picked out his own ball, got a little launch ramp, some bumpers, tiny bowling shoes, and he was ready for lots of strikes and spares. He figured out quickly how it all worked and after a few turns decided he did not need our help anymore. He asked us to sit down and he managed the game alone. He picked up his ball "all byself", carried it over to the launch ramp, straightened it out, then pushed the ball down the lane. After several turns, Jeremy taught him how to throw the ball himself. In regular Ty style he also threw himself on the floor after each time and stayed there watching to see if the ball would make it all the way to the pins. It didn't, but that's ok. It was the most entertaining thing we've done in a long time. Watching him bowl for the first time is one of my new all time favorite memories. And Cameron loved watching too!

Another night we started out with a trip to the dollar store. We picked up a teddy bear for each of the boys. Then we went to the Grand America to visit their Teddy Bear Town. The Presidential Suite on the 23rd floor is decorated with hundreds of bears that will be given to children for Christmas. When you bring one of your own to donate, you get to pick a place in the room for them to stay and get a special ticket that you can trade for a gift in the childrens shop.

Ty selected a nice cozy spot in the bathtub along with other bears sitting with glass bubbles enjoying a bath and went downstairs to collect his gift. Next we went to look at the gingerbread houses. The Grand's own pastry chefs created several spectacular houses. Each one was unique, elaborate, and totally edible. Ty LOVED this part. "Mom, these houses are made of candy", he'd say about each one. He couldn't get enough. "Can we look at them again?" He asked over and over.


Finally we left and went home to create our own gingerbread house. It wasn't quite elaborate, but Ty didn't mind because this was "an eating one". Which was a very important part of this evening. It was so fun. I love being a family!