Bowling (with Roo) for Dummies

Yesterday we met up with some friends after church to go bowling. It is the first time we have been bowling in 2-3 years! Yikes! How are my children going to have a normal childhood when they only get to bowl once every 2 to 3 years?!?

Anyway, this was Roo's first bowling experience, and it definitely taught me some important life lessons. Here they are, in no particular order...

• DON'T go bowling at lunchtime.
• DON'T go bowling at nap time.
• DO get Roo his own lane, so that he doesn't have to suffer the indignity of waiting for his turn. Failure to heed this bit of advice will result in wailing, gnashing of teeth, tantrums, and other gentle reminders that he prefers his own personal space.
• DO grab the lane next to two special needs care providers. They will love him to pieces, and will even go play arcade games and win him a ball to play with, should you ignore the above rule and the poor child has to wait for other people to bowl.
• DON'T press your luck. He may seem to settle down toward the end of the first game, but don't be fooled: starting a second game will only begin a new wave of tantrums and squirming.
• DON'T forget your running shoes should you decide to let him "walk it off" for a bit, or in case some nice person gives him a ball that he then throws and chases around the bowling alley for the better part of an hour.
• DO dress for summer. Wrangling and chasing Roo all over the establishment will be the best workout you've had in weeks. A long-sleeved shirt, sweater, and jeans will just be overkill.
• DO go with caring and patient friends who will put up with all of the above.