Bounce 'N Play

Fun so awesome you'd eat your own shirt.

That wasn't advertised, but it was almost true. Shane met Dylan and Eli at Bounce 'N Play for a play date.

There was plenty to bounce and play on. I guess it's a more sanitary version of the hamster tunnel places like Discovery Zone and Leaps and Bounds from my own childhood (which were amazing).

Movable compartments are a new development. Cool stuff.

The older boys ran around to the hearts delight. Sometimes Eli caught up with them. Sometimes not. He liked Krista to check in on him. He, also, liked to get other kids to help him. Shane helped in this picture, but Eli used the tactic to pick up a little girlfriend, too.

The toddler area garnered a lot more interest from the older boys than I expected. This house was the site of many engineering projects and a few conflicts (and one potential health hazard with a farting Eli).

I didn't go in expecting to get lunch, but it was hard to say "No" when all the children are marching and chanting, "Pizza! Pizza!" Carrie showed up from the barn and Dover saddlery around then (she loses track of time around horses).

And proceeded to sweep the floor with the Elion.

After a while, Dylan and Shane started to squabble. They needed a break from each other.

The creative area provided the break.

Shane liked the paint room. However, pay attention to the little blond.

How's that for the opposite of you would expect? She was very bubbly and announced exactly what she was writing. Since it was backward, none of the people walking by looked twice.

It got painted over eventually. Shane enjoyed making a mess himself.

The boys reunited for a final tour of the facility.

All showed signs of fatigue. We'd played for almost four hours! I didn't realize hanging out as a parent was such an endurance sport.

Right before the end, Dylan got bounced on by Shane at the basketball gym. He cried like he was dying. I made sit in time out until the tears stopped. When they kept going, Shane slunk lower and lower against the wall, eaten by guilt.

He was fine, though (of course). We got both boys to go out again for a minute before calling it a day. They ended on a high note.