Thank goodness for indoor playgrounds!

Yesterday our family had a short get together at an indoor playground. The Treehouse,Lake Zurich is truly just a video game free- playground, with climbing, running, sliding and more!  And, considering the weather (rain, rain and more rain), we were very thankful for this place!  Because of every ones very busy schedules, we planned to get there as soon as they opened, let the kids play for a couple of hours and then go to lunch together.  It is difficult to find activities that are good for a 2 year old as well as not so bad for an almost 13 year old.  Thankfully, Lia is happy to just be with our family, no matter what the activity is!  There was plenty for her to do at this place and all of the kids had a great time.  Grace ran for the entire time.  Doug and Susie had a difficult time getting her to stop to drink some water. This was a new place for all of us, and the kids all wanted to know when they could come back.

I managed to snap this photo of Doug and Gwen together!  We don't often think to take pictures like this, and I was grateful to catch a "sister/brother" shot.

After all the running, sliding and playing all of the kids were hungry.  Gwen, Susie and I were very thankful for a close by eating place that we always order from during our scrapbook weekends.
We took our "crew" (that's what it feels like when there are 11 of us) to Meat and Potato Eatery!

 When I snapped this picture, I missed Susie and me, so here is a bonus selfie of the two of us!

 Everyone chowed down on really delicious food and we all had a great time sharing stories and large amounts of various fries. Everyone went out the door with multiple carry out boxes.  So if you ever have a chance to visit this place, know that the portions are really big!

Gwen and Tim and the kids had to scoot out quickly since Zeke had a floor hockey game in the early afternoon.  Tim and Anna also had a late afternoon "Daddy and Me" event at her preschool (so Gwen also had the same event in her classroom).  Susie and Doug and Gracie were off to look for a new vehicle to tow their camper.  Ken and I were grateful to just be heading home!

I was thinking about the fact that this was just a couple of hours that we were together.  Yet, it was such a good time.  Sometimes we think that we must have big, long events to make memories.  The truth is just being together, even when it is just a short time, is so life giving.  Nothing makes this mom and grandma happier than seeing everyone having fun together.  The kids were certainly glad to see Ken feeling so much better.  After finally getting free from his PIC line and IV, and mostly able to stand and walk normally, all of the kids were glad to give Grandpa lots of hugs!

My advice today is to make those memories - even when you only have a couple of hours to spare.  Don't wait around for those big events.  Call up your friends or family and spend a couple of hours doing something fun.  Cap off the time together by sharing some snacks or a meal.  It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive.  Just be together.  Give those hugs, and share that love!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder that love is what matters.  Holy Spirit, nudge us to connect with the people around us who matter the most.  Help us to find time to share fun, laughter and love with others.   Give us hearts that are willing to find time in our schedules to make memories.  Thank you for wonderful indoor (year around) playgrounds.  Amen