Child’s Day Out

Yesterday the local Boys & Girls Club of America put on a “Child’s Day Out” event. Several of the Meetup Moms were going with their kids and it sounded promising so Jack, Em, and I went to town to check it out.

It turned out to be a FANTASTIC event and a great way to spend the afternoon. There was a bounce house, emergency vehicles, a ‘train’ to ride, arts & crafts, games, and even lunch was served (through which I inadvertently discovered that Emilie loves pudding cups.)

Most of the outside events were too ‘big’ for Emilie, but she enjoyed watching Jack. The bounce house was her favorite. I stood on one side holding her while we watched Jack jump and she’d put her feet on the side of the house and bounce too.

Jack, as usual, was ‘ga-ga’ about the emergency vehicles. He jumped straight in the back of the Police cruiser, shut both doors, and bounced on the seat. The police officer gave him a sticker badge which had him over the moon. We had to visit the fire truck twice, during which he had to drive, sit in all the seats, and check out the hoses.

Still it was the ‘train that outshined everything else. The train is simply a riding mower with the deck removed and a plywood ‘engine’ slipped over it. The ‘cars’ are 55 gallon drums with plywood benches and ‘repurposed’ car seatbelts bolted to them. Each seat had it’s own steering wheel and the bell on the engine rings.

Personally, I think this would make a great winter project to those mechanically inclined (Uncle Cory…*cough, cough*)

Inside there was much more for Emilie to do. Jack led her through an obstacle course, they spent some time building blocks, playing with play-dough, fishing in a fish pond, painting, and getting tattoos.

Okay, they were temporary tattoos but tattoos none the less. Jack picked out an Easter Bunny for himself (probably has something to do with his current infatuation with ‘HOP’). For Emilie he picked out a black panther with flames……still kicking myself for not getting a picture.

Believe it or not we did all this in the 2 hours the event was put on for. It was a lot of action and I figured they would both be wiped out, but there was enough energy left to pled for a quick trip to the playground on the way to the car.

We didn’t stay long since it was 85 degrees out and I didn’t want to roast the kids, but we managed a few trips down the slide and a round on the string. For what it’s worth, Jack does know how to use the ‘big kid’ swings, but sitting next to his sister (and not having to hold on) is much more fun.

This was an excellent way to spend the afternoon and I’ll definitely be keeping and eye out in case they do it again. Plus, Emilie crashed in the car on the way home and slept for three hours. Jack took a short nap too, but he waited until Emilie woke up before falling asleep. Oh well, can’t win ‘em all.