Today we went on an afternoon Thurs-date to Brunswick Alley & Arcade. We bowled and watched Ivy play Dance Dance Revolution and watched Geoff play that one game where you hit the tall thing with a hammer and it lights up if you're really strong, you know the one. At the end of our visit we cashed in our 27 tickets for a Jolly Rancher sucker and one of those suction froggy-poppers. It was such a fun time, and that means a lot coming from me because I used to hate bowling. I once cried as a kid because my family made me go bowling. The things first-world kids go through!
My dislike for bowling does not stem from the fact that I'm awful at it (well that might be a major contributing factor), it's because I never liked the idea of a sport that required me to have my backside face my bowling peers. Talk about vulnerablility! And also I'm pretty self-consious about my backside.
While I'm on the topic, you should hear my inner dialogue while I'm up to bowl. When I bowl poorly, I very quickly swivel around, red-faced, only to see encouraging smiles and I think, "Don't make eye contact! Also don't look too disappointed or you'll look like a poor sport!"
Then theres the one time in the game when I may actually bowl pretty well, and that's even worse, I tell you what. I slowly turn around, red-faced, to see people clapping and giving me the thumbs-up. That's when the anxiety sets in. I think, "Don't look too excited! Hold back the egyptian walk Stacie! Hold back the river-dance and the kick-ball-chaines! Don't even get yourself started with the back-handsprings! Most importantly, don't let them see you smile Stacie!" (How glad are you that you don't live in this over-thinking, self-consious and anxiety-ridden head? Add delusional to that list, because I don't know how to do back-handsprings.)
Anyways, today I was able to let the frowns and competitiveness and jazz-walks and hollering and most importantly the smiles all come out, and I broke 200 and got a Turkey. (Actually 98 and no turkey, but who's counting?) I blame it all on my little family of jowlers and nose-pickers, they make me really happy. Happy enough to bowl without breaking out in hives, even.
13 comments:
this just may be my favorite post yet, even made me tear up a bit, and laugh at the same time. I love that little family of yours too, and I love how much they love you! You all deserve eachother! Miss ya girl! Counting down the days!
And yet I didn't notice any of that bowling anxiety when we were in ShowLow. Maybe I was too preoccupied with how poorly I bowled and the fact that the semi pros bowling next to us were so disgusted when I dropped the ball and it went behind me.
Ivy picking her nose in the top photo is probably the best part of the photo booth strip.
I have never been a big bowler either or enjoyer of put-put. Smoked ridden old dingy buildings that have been around since before my mother was born. But sometimes I find it fun.
Cute and fun pictures.
Those same exact thoughts go through my head when I bowl too! So you give me hope that some day I can enjoy the sport!
I love a good celebratory egyptian walk.
I bet you never guessed someone else in the world has that SAME EXACT CONVERSATION in their head every time they bowl! But guess what - you are not alone. Every dang time. And i swear it is worse when you actually bowl good and have to turn around and face those people. blerg!
I love this post! We will have to join you guys on a bowling date once Autumn gets a little older. Since we will be locals in 2 days. Love the photo booth pics, it's always fun with little kids!
there are way too many things i love about this post.
seriously burst into laughter more than once.
your family is beautiful.
Just started following your blog a couple days ago. You guys have the cutest little family! I'm going to like it here. :)
so funny!
ya, whose idea was it anyway when they created such a sport to have your backside facing EVERYONE? i remember going bowling on a first date with my now husband and being horrified that he'd be staring at my bum the whole time.
i guess he liked it enough to marry it, right? ;)
you're hysterical. adorable pics, too.
you have such a beautiful family
had to laugh that my baby wore that SAME outfit the other day. you guys are too cute.
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