Pastor Scott's Thoughts: Leapin' Lizards!

So last weekend was a really busy one. I thought things were supposed to slow down after Christmas, but the Saturday immediately following Christmas was probably the busiest Saturday of the month. It was supposed to start with breakfast with my sister and Kristy Hirata, but being that the power went out it got canceled. So instead we substituted with breakfast with two couples from our MiniChurch (the Garland's and the Whiteley's) and Mikey since we still had our trusty new gas range (but the oven is still broken). We did have a great time playing "telephone pictionary" (remind me to tell my wife was an amazing artist she is) and shared quite a few laughs. Who says you need power for fun?

Then we had to go to our niece Lauren's second birthday party (we also had a wedding later on in the evening). It was held at Leapin' Lizards, which is a huge warehouse full of various bouncy houses. So we get there and it's slightly rainy and we arrive on time with Aliya (our friend's daughter) and there are a bunch of kids ready to hit the bouncy houses. Of course there are rules to follow the first and most important being: don't run. Umm, yeah, that lasted about a second and a half. As soon as the doors opened, the kids immediately ran in and paid no attention to the no running rule. I mean it's like they never even heard it at all. *sigh* I guess not all the kids could read or listen.

Here's the birthday girl in the jousting ring (that's what the kid behind her is holding)

Here's Aliya going down the toddler slide

Not all the houses were for kids though. In fact, one side of the warehouse was set aside for adult or older children houses.

Here's Keao testing out the bigger slide

After a while, even the little ones went by themselves

It was neat to see how the kids needed us in the beginning, but soon enough when we got too tired they continued on by themselves. They would climb up the stairs and slide down over and over and over again. Thank goodness they didn't need us because they had much more stamina then us. We did have fun bouncing with them in the jousting ring and volleyball court.

Keao and Lauren sharing a moment of fun

Uncontrollable bouncing + hard heads = crying babies

Unfortunately it wasn't all fun and games. Poor Aliya got clobbered on one of the slides because she was coming down and a boy was trying to climb up the slide and they collided (even though we told him repeatedly to use the stairs). A little later Aliya and Lauren bonked heads while they were bouncing. Aliya was very cute and told me that she hit Lauren's head. She then promptly went over to Lauren and apologized. They're still friends.

Even mommy got in on the action

Oversized boxing gloves make good chairs too

Sisters, sisters...

Of course, what's a birthday party without cake and ice cream. After bouncing for an hour and a half, we went upstairs to the party room for pizza, cake and ice cream. Lauren sat all by herself at the center of everyone and ate her pizza. Then with a little help from mom she blew out the candles.