Kids' Activity Day at the YMCA

A few weeks back our local YMCA chapter had a kids' activity day.  It was open to everyone and ran from noon to 2pm.  Since we live right across the street from our nearest YMCA, I thought it would be fun to take Kai.  Reid stayed home with Finn while he napped and Kai and I went out for some Mommy-Kai time.

The first thing we saw when we arrived were the bounce houses set-up on the soccer field.  Kai was so excited to see the big castle!  We ran down and he got in line.  When it was his turn, he put one foot in and ran back out exclaiming that it was "too bouncy".  So, we chatted and then he got back in line.  At his next turn, he went in a little further and came back out proclaiming the bounce house "too dirty".  This time I took him aside and we went over to the smaller, more simple bounce house.  I sent him with the group of little kids (the 2ish crowd).  Once again, he wouldn't do it.  Finally, we went back for a third try at the castle.  This time he went in for about 5 seconds and then came back out proclaiming that it was "too windy."  Yep, I was done.

From there we wandered over to the face painting table.  He watched the other kids and when we saw they were doing dinosaurs, I thought I almost had him.  But still he asked if he could just watch.  He would have been content to watch all of the kids around him having fun.

So, we decided to go up to the Y.  We saw the firetruck parked out front and took a quick peek at that before going in.  Inside the Y were the volunteer dogs from our local library's "Paws to Read" program.  They also had books.  So, Kai read some books to the dogs and colored a picture.  There was also a refreshment table from Sam's Club.  They had fruit and granola bars.  Kai had a little of everything.  Also inside was the Home Depot with projects that the kids could build themselves.  Kai and I built a planter and then headed back to the dogs and food.

Finally, we decided it was time to head home.  We walked back out and there was the fire truck, but this time they had kids inside of it.  Kai was thrilled!  He loved the truck and he charmed the firefighters.  He lingered at that truck for nearly a half an hour asking to see everything.  One particular firefighter took to him and they were best buddies.  Kai got to do things on that truck that no one else had done.  They even put the headsets on him and talked to him from the front.  He ate it up!  They were impressed by how curious and smart he was and they were convinced he is going to be a firefighter!

After the event Kai said his favorite part was the food (!!!!what??!!) and the firetruck.  I asked him if he wanted to be a firefighter to which he said no.  He still wants to be a palaeontologist.  Ask him, I dare you.  You'd be impressed.  But he'll still always be interested in what you do and want to learn all about it.  That's just Kai, he LOVES to learn!

Kai with his firefighter friend.  The firefighter has even asked that Kai come visit him at the station.  We'll have to try to do that sometime soon.