I saw one of those Groupons for rock climbing and thought it would be a fun summer activity for the kids. I didn't realize just how much they would enjoy it. I didn't think Gavin and Nathan would want to have anything to do with climbing or that they would even be capable. I underestimated this activity and I am so glad we decided to go. It was such a hit and I sure hope Groupon offers this deal again next summer.
Spencer had so much fun. He was hesitant at first, but once he realized he was secure with the ropes and that he would not fall, he climbed and climbed and then climbed some more. The only problem we had was Taneal and I were the only ones who could hold the ropes, so we had to rotate through all the kids and I had to help her so she could climb. We rotated everyone through pretty quickly and stayed for 4 hours, but the kids were begging for more. Next year I think Camie will be old enough to help and that should make it easier.
Camie loved doing this too. She climbed so much her arms and legs were so tired, but she had so much fun. She was good at it too.
Danielle was by far the most in her element climbing. She has always been a little monkey and this was right up her ally. In fact, she figured out her security on the ropes so well that if she got stuck and couldn't figure out how to climb higher, she would push off the wall and swing to another position on the wall a few feet over. Leave it to Danielle to come up with something like that. Camie saw Danielle doing this and even started to do it herself. Camie was so much more reserved.
Nathan has the fear in him. He refused to climb after the first attempt. He was just scared. He thought he would fall and he couldn't understand that the ropes wouldn't let him. Of course once Gavin woke up from his nap in the stroller and wanted to climb, Nathan became a little more willing to climb. If his 2 year-old brother can do it, so could he. So Nathan was willing to climb one wall and had fun once he let himself enjoy it.
Taneal is such a trooper. I am so lucky to have this girl. She was so willing to get in and help hold the kids ropes while they climbed. I would help 2 kids and then Taneal. She helped whomever she could while she was waiting. She is such a team player and always so willing to help. I guess that's what you have to do when you are the oldest of 6 kids. If she didn't help, we wouldn't be able to do much. She sees the vision and is so eager to help and not one bit resentful.
She loved to climb and was so sad when we had to leave. I was so exhausted after 4 hours. But she would have kept going if we had had the time.
These wall were pretty high. Check out Danielle at the top and Taneal holding the ropes at the bottom.
Spencer is at the top in this picture. I honestly didn't think my little ones were capable of doing this. I was so proud of all of them. And especially proud of their good attitudes and the waiting. I didn't even realize the waiting was hard for them until after we got home. None of them complained (except Gavin who still doesn't know how to share) at all. I thought they were thankful for the break to be able to recover.
Here is Gavin. He climbed so well. I couldn't believe a little 2 year-old could do this.
Spencer is at the top here, Nathan is at the bottom. You could climb to the dotted line without ropes.
Here are all my beautiful, wonderful, patient children with smiles on their face after having spent so long at the rock climbing place.
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