Cornbelly's

This weekend we took the family to Cornbelly's. There was so much to do there. Pumpkins, haunted houses, corn mazes, volleyball, duck races, roping, bounce houses, hay rides, slippery slides, and on and on and on. I personally had a great time, but for me it was great because we were together. I know I've said it before, but it's my favorite place to be. Off on our own without racing the clock, and watching the kids have a great time. On this trip I learned a few things:

1. Doop is very scared of tight, dark places. Like the haunted creature that we walked through. It was difficult to walk with him wound so tightly around my leg, and he was sweating profusely by the time we got out. I think it was due to the increased heart rate. :)
2. I know why those small trails are blazed by various people in the corn mazes. The kids' legs just aren't cut out for covering 12 acres of around and around circles. It was fun for the first 15 minutes, and then the frustration kicked in starting with little Doop and the temptation to create his own "shortcuts" just became too great.
3. Lou is one content little girl. It didn't matter which activity we went to she found a way to have fun. I think I already knew this, but she definitely proved it this weekend.
4. Seej likes trivia. Wait. I think I already knew this. She loved all of the various trivia games throughout Cornbelly's, but one thing that Seej and I both learned for sure is that we will never look at her tennis racket the same EVER again. If you're confused on this one just look at the pictures. They will explain everything.
5. Last but definitely not least, family is so important. Once again I already knew this, but this fact was reinforced as I watched a young couple with their disabled son. I saw them when we took the kids to the bounce pads. His father placed him in his mother's arms on the mat and he gently bounced the two of them so that he would have the opportunity to experience the same fun that the other kids were having. They smiled and giggled with him, and although it didn't last long due to obvious discomfort and anxiety on his part, they shared a moment with him that he wouldn't have otherwise experienced without such good, loving parents. I admired their strength and love from a distance, and was grateful for the example they had placed before me. What I didn't know was that JM was watching them from the other side of the exhibit, and that he was witnessing their experience as well. The unconditional love for their son, and the few minutes of happiness with him amongst the crowd truly touched both of our hearts, and it made me even more grateful for the opportunity to be a parent. To love three little people with that same intensity and share that with my best friend is such a wonderful gift, and I was reminded that it shouldn't be taken for granted.