You may want to take the time to read the chapters leading up to this one. Go to the links below!
As soon as Olivia finished her last "a" in her name and a heart at her signature, Uncle Ken announced from downstairs, "Everybody, load up in the bus. We're going to play laser tag and go skating. And tomorrow, I want you to bring sunscreen and a hat because we may go to the zoo!" Shouts of joy and excitement spread throughout the Johnson's farmhouse.
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The bus ride to the skating rink was bumpy and -- as most bus rides are -- noisy. Especially with a one-year-old, four-year-old, seven-year-old, and two 10-year-olds.
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"We're here!" shouted Julia, the most energetic four-year-old spotting the skating building. The bus pulled up into two parking spaces. One by one, the kids hopped out, excited about skating and playing laser tag.
Seven-year-old Hope slid her skates on and quickly stood up on the carpeted area. And splat! She fell down with a thump. "It's okay, Hope," Aunt Rosemary encouraged. "Just get back up again! You can do it!"
Next up was Emily -- brave Emily -- who was on in-line skates. She carefully got her balance in check. Practicing on the blue carpet area first, Emily courageously skated to the rink to try out her skills.
Livi watched in admiration as Emily the pro went into action. Halfway scared of falling, Livi postponed skating until a more convenient time." This allowed Julia to go next.
Julia wore a flowery dress and has a bundle full of energy. So, as you can imagine, Julia was super excited about this adventure. She wobbled up onto the kids' skates and handles. Little Julia kept her eyes on Big Emily.You could tell she looked up to her.
Aunt Rosemary watched her kids and husband skate while holding one-year-old Josh in her lap and Livi next to her. They watched Livi's Uncle Ken make his first turn around the rink. But suddenly, he lost his footing and fell to the ground. His cowboy hat flew across the room.
"Ken, are you okay?" Aunt Rosemary asked with compassion as a worried expression crossed her face.
Laughing at his mistakes, he quickly replied, "Yep, just a cowboy hat mishap!"
Emily came around that same corner at full speed -- then WHOOSH! Emily tripped and toppled over Uncle Ken's cowboy hat and landed on Uncle Ken. The whole scenario was quite hilarious, mainly because no one got hurt.
"Are you alright, Emily?"
"Yeah," she called from across the room.
"I don't have any bruises."
Soon enough, though, both father and daughter got up on their feet again.
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After an hour of skating, it was now time to play a game of laser tag. This time, Livi would join in the fun. Four-year-old Julia tightly clutched her father's hand as they entered the dark room to put on laser gear. "Daddy, I'm scared of the dark!"
"Oh, Jules, you can stay with Mama and Josh." Uncle Ken led her to her mother who was at the table next to the skating rink.
Returning to the laser room, Uncle Ken, Emily and Olivia put on the vest and connecting gun. They then listened to the instructions about how to shoot and what to do when you get shot. As they listened, they stood ready for an enemy's attack. And it turns out that Uncle Ken, cousin Emily, and Olivia were all on the red team.
"No running," the instructor commanded. "The red team can now enter the game room." They jogged to a safe place to hide and shoot.
"I'm gonna stay here," Uncle Ken said to his niece and daughter. "You go ahead up there yonder!"
Going to the spot where Uncle Ken wanted them to go, Emily and Olivia separated into their stations and poised a shooting position.
"Ready, set, go!" the announcer called on the intercom, booming across the game room.
The blue team raced into the game room, and the game had begun. Olivia pulled the trigger at a blue team member. BOOM! She got him.
... 30 minutes later ...
"Who got first?" Livi asked, as she leaned in closer to the score board.
"Ninja got first place! Who's Ninja?" Emily asked.
"I'm Ninja!" Uncle Ken replied, beaming with happiness.
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