Drew tries his hand at bowling

Last week we had a social event for Bill's company at the bowling alley. We had a great turnout and everyone had a good time, but Drew was especially thrilled. When I informed him I'd be picking him up early from school so we could go bowling with Daddy and his soldiers, he asked "Just like on the TV?" He was, of course, referring to the Nintendo Wii bowling, which he is actually fairly good at...considering he's 3 and all. I explained that the real thing would be a little different but that he would still be trying to knock down the pins but we would be using an actual bowling ball.

The whole experience was exciting for Drew, even getting the "funny shoes" on. He tried out a couple different balls, jumped up and down when the pins fell, and said "Oh wow" when someone would get a strike. None of the pictures really turned out that great. It seemed like every time he did something adorable I was talking to one of the other spouses and when I tried to get pictures he was not interested in cooperating. Such is life with a stubborn 3 year old.

Although he is pictured using the ramp exclusively, he did throw (yes, literally throw) the ball down the lane a few times without it. We had the bumpers of course. But every now and then someone on the lane next to the kids' lane wouldn't be there for their turn so the soldiers let the kids take turns bowling for their buddies that weren't there. Needless to say, without the bumpers, their scores reflected the kids' turns.


So many balls...so little time.

Mom, stop taking pictures and get over here and help me!

Drew was funny about using the ramp. Sometimes he'd walk right up there and roll the ball down all by himself. Other times he'd cry for someone to help him and then when I or one of the soldiers or spouses tried to help him, he'd suddenly become reluctant and his turn seemed to take 5 years!

At the end of the afternoon though, Drew declared himself a big fan of bowling. "Mommy, thank you for taking me bowling. Bowling is my favorite." This is his latest line for everything, clothes, activities, food, etc.:

"Mommy (or Daddy) thank you for making dinner. Chicken is my favorite (or peas or rice or pierogies or whatever else happens to be on his plate that night)."

"Mommy, thank you for getting my sweatshirt (or my pajamas or my toothbrush). The green sweatshirt is my favorite."

It's really quite cute.