Jumpy!!

This cold, cold weather is bad news when you have an energetic toddler ripping through the house!  No park, no stroller rides, no walks down the street...what's a  momma to do?  Well, I took Amelia to one of those indoor gyms for kids.  Now, I admit, the idea of all those germs really bothered me (you know, indoor where the good, disinfecting sunshine couldn't get to them)...but I figured I just have to put some faith into her immune system and go for it.  The place I took her is right up the road, is pretty inexpensive, and she LOVED it! 

I didn't get a single picture of her face because she did not stop once!  And I think this is the first time I didn't have a bow in her hair while we were out and about.  Y'all, that jumpin' is hard work...the child can't be bothered with hair accessories at a time like this.  At least she had a pink shirt on. 

Doesn't this look like fun?  I did not want to test my big pregnant self on any of the inflatables for fear I'd pop a whole in something and ruin everyone's good time.  

Towards the end, she was getting pretty good at running and jumping on everything.  But falling down is way more fun!   :o)

Now, let me tell you about... The Fit.

After an hour, she started to slow down a bit, and since it was naptime, I decided it was time to call it a day.  As I carried her out the door, my little lady decided to throw a fit.   Oh my goodness.  Not only did she try to turn herself into liquid several times as I tried to carry her to the car, but she tried that "stiff-as-a-board" stunt, too, making it almost impossible to carry her.  I take it she was NOT ready to leave "Jumpy" (as she calls it).  And after acting like that, there was no way I was going to take her back in there.  I sure didn't want to send that message...you know, have a total come-apart and you get what you want.  Oh no!  

So, when we get to the car, she again turns herself into liquid...in the parking lot...on the pavement beside the car.  Doncha know I just wanted to crawl under the car and hide.  And had it not been for my big pregnant round belly and the fear that I might get wedged permanently under it, I probably would have.   This was by far the worst fit she has ever thrown.  I did NOT get a picture of that part of our day.  I hope to goodness our next trip to Jumpy is not like that!  How embarrassing.

Now, I can't talk about jumping without talking about candlesticks!  So let me show you a new candlestick I found at the thrift store.  It's silver-plate on brass so it's heavy, and the silver is perfectly worn like I love!  $1...Yea!  I have it in the dining room on a table that I just moved in there.  It's the only thing on the table right now, though.

I love honeycomb candles, and I just made a little wreath of boxwood for it.  

And MOST IMPORTANTLY... please keep praying for Harper and Kelly.  The most recent updates sound so good.  Prayer IS powerful!  It is amazing to be witness to so many coming together in spirit and prayer over this precious child.  

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."  Matthew 18:20

"Before our Father's throne,

we pour our ardent prayers;

our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

our comforts and our cares.

We share each other's woes,

our mutual burdens bear;

and often for each other flows

the sympathizing tear.

Blest be the tie that binds

our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

is like to that above."

Comments

[Sara Allen]

Our Sunday School class is getting a jump house for Family Day. I was thinking of jumpning in it myself and shaking this baby down a bit!

Our family continues to pray for Kelly, Scott and Harper. I appreciate your reminder.

[Kristen]

Jump-play is such fun for the kiddos! Always brings on solid sleep for my little ones. If you are ever in the Nashville/Bellevue area, The Monkey's Treehouse is a must-visit!

[Katy]

Awww! How fun!!! We used to have two places like that around us....one in the next town to the East and one in the next town to the West. My kids loved it. Unfortunately they closed them down. :( I am so glad Amelia had so much fun...and so sorry to hear about the tantrum. Most of us have been through it at one time or another with our kids....I totally FEEL your embarrassment! BUT...it IS good to know she had such a fabulous time! :)

I LOVE the candlestick! What a GREAT find!

And I am still praying for sweet Harper! xoxo

[Bri]

What a fun place!!!!!! Wow, I hope I can find something like that around here! I love the picture of her hugging the big inflated dog.

I am sorry to laugh but oh my heavens your story about "The Fit" was just hilarious! I haven't experienced one of those yet and I can't say I'm looking forward to it. :) I'm sure you handled it very well though. And you must post a picture of your cute pregnant self by the way!

Adorable candlestick, you always find the deals!

I have been praying for Kelly & Harper too. I literally cried this past weekend when I read her post about Harper's condition. I am just in awe of their faithfulness and how they have used their blog to glorify the Lord!

[jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam]

What did we do before those were invented...the jumpy thing, not the candle. :) And so thrilled for the update on Harper...it's amazing!!

[Kim]

We went to a birthday party at one of those jumpy places & the adults had almost as much fun as the kids. As an added bonus, the kids completely wore themselves out & took long naps right afterwards!

Oh, I know those fits! They always have them in public, do you notice that??? You did the right thing!

[Paige]

I just can't get over the great things you find at thrift stores. We either don't have great places like you do in your town, or I just don't take the time to look for all the treasures like yours.

Thanks for sharing! I love seeing your thrift-store finds.

[Sandy toes]

We have a jumpy place where I leave and it's a great place to let out some energy..what fun!!!

Wow...you are great at thrift shops! Love it!
-sandy toe

[Carrie]

So fits in the "Jumpy" parking lot are what I have to look forward to!! I was relieved to see that my baby is not the only one who likes to throw down.

The candlestick is amazing! I love to see all your thrift store finds. It inspires me to go "junk-ing" as my grandmother likes to call it.

We are still praying for baby Harper. I cried so hard when I read Kelly's post. I know God is in control of the situation and he has his arms wrapped firmly around her family.

[Shannon]

I guess it is safe to say that she had a FUN time at the Jumpy since she obviously did not want to leave!! :) That is embarrassing when that happens.

I love your well-worn candlestick! I love beeswax candles too and that little boxwood is the perfect touch! So pretty!

I don't know if I have ever prayed so hard as I have for Harper and Brayden (from Jenna's Journey).

[Wendy]

I have so been there with the tantrum that just won't quit. I'm sorry. At least you can look back and laugh once the memory of it has faded a little. really, you will.;-)

[my hungry boys]

Good for you, Katie! Stand your southern ground! Giving in to fits (as embarrassing as they are for us mommies) just causes worse behavior later. Trantrums get you nowhere at our house either. No sir, uh-uh.

We are also praying for Harper and family. God is GOOD!

The candlestick is fabulous! :-)

[Leslie]

I love jumpy places for my little ones. A brand spanking new Monkey Joe's just opened near us. YEA for that in the cold months!
Tantrums...not to worry, all Moms have to go through them with their little princes and princesses!
What a great find on the candlestick. I need some of your luck in shopping the thrift stores. Send some this way will ya?!?

[Annie]

I know I am border line crazy for admitting this, but I cant help but love it when kids throw down...shows passion... :) As long as its not my kid!!! hee hee... My Cooper was typically well behaved, but boy could he throw down if he really wanted something or didnt want to do something! Like I said that just shows passion and personality! :) I love that Amelia had such a good time--those are the very best days, when you can do things they REALLY enjoy! That's one of the perks of parenting, being able to make their day with something as easy to do as take them to "Jumpy"... :)

[Sarah]

My two have never been to one of those jumpy places--the closest one is a couple of hours away. They look like so much fun though.

Gorgeous candlestick--I like it when things aren't shiny and new. :)

[Lizabeth]

Love the candles and candlesticks. Beautiful.

[Laura]

Hi, new to blogging. I read a few of your previous post and I have to say that you find the best things at the thrift store. I just love the candlesticks. Also, the term liquid had me rolling. So Cute!

[Reynie]

I think the jump house has to be one of the best inventions ever! You can let a kid run lose in one of those places and just wear themselves out with no effort on your part. Brillant! Glad she had a good time even if she had a little pity party when you left. Sounds like you handled it well.

[Buzzings of a Queen Bee]

Yay for indoor play places! I know what you mean about the germs, but sometimes you just need to take your toddler to a place that's going to wear her out, much more than your pregnant self could ever do! (Sounds like we are in very similar places in life...I would definitely pop a hole in one of those jumpy castles right now!)
Carrie

[Jess]

Hi Miss Katie! I am fervently praying for little Harper. I thank you because I first read Kelly's blog back when you posted the info about her online baby shower. I believe it was meant to be because I have been so blessed through praying for Harper and this family. So, thank you for that!
Oh honey, I think we've all been there with the fits and tantrums, and can totally empathize. The "liquid" is a personal favorite of mine--its like dragging around dead weight! Certainly not easy when you're pregnant!
But glad to know she enjoyed it so much! I have a high energy boy and I've found that when he was younger, he would do better with morning activities because he was often tired in the afternoon. Also, I often use a countdown when we are playing as a warning to him of when it is time for us to go. ("Five more minutes" or now "two more minutes." I usually start at ten and count down to five, two and one.
The book "The Happiest Toddler on the Block" has lots of interesting info about tantrums too.
P.S. I hope you are having a little boy. My four year old is Jackson, and goes by Jack. He is the sweetest child in the world! We love Jacks!

[Kim Hancock]

She is just so cute I couldn't imagine her having a fit. I think when they go to liquid their weight triples!

[Amber]

Katie - You sound like me when it comes to the germs. I think a lot of it stems from the fact that we're RN's. Don't you think? That automatically makes us more paranoid than the rest of the population!

We never took our kids anywhere like that during the flu season until two winters ago. Then we all ended up with a severe stomach virus and my son ended up getting admitted to the hospital for IV fluids. So after that I said I'd never do that again. But really, you can only do so much to prevent illnesses. I've relaxed quite a bit since having my daughter.

[Jessica Foster]

I love that particular Jumpy Place. I came across your blog through a friend of mines who has just started reading yours and we all apparently live near each other. I think that is so neat. Any way, they are Christian owned and operated and they really do a good job with the disinfecting. I have done a few fundraiser nights there for my oldest son's school.

[queenbee]

Those bouncy places as my 4 year old call it are wonderful ways to get some energy out, but I know exactly what you mean about them having fits when its time to go. This happens to me often in the Chick-fila play area and even at Tarjay when he wants to look at toys. I need to find a manual on how to handle those situations. If you get the chance stop by my blog and vote on paint color.

[queenbee]

Those bouncy places as my 4 year old call it are wonderful ways to get some energy out, but I know exactly what you mean about them having fits when its time to go. This happens to me often in the Chick-fila play area and even at Tarjay when he wants to look at toys. I need to find a manual on how to handle those situations. If you get the chance stop by my blog and vote on paint color.

[queenbee]

Those bouncy places as my 4 year old call it are wonderful ways to get some energy out, but I know exactly what you mean about them having fits when its time to go. This happens to me often in the Chick-fila play area and even at Tarjay when he wants to look at toys. I need to find a manual on how to handle those situations. If you get the chance stop by my blog and vote on paint color.

[Karen]

I know just what you mean about the germs in those places, ugh. Just wash her hands. I always instruct my kids to NOT touch their faces, but even in a park, those are some of the germiest, not cleaner because of the sun. I heard once that the playground had more germs than the escalator! Yuck!

[Lindsey]

Love the phrases: "Turn herself into liquid" and "stiff as a board" because that totally sums up what those sweet precious children do!