We took all four kids to Kings Island this week, and let me tell you something: It was a BLAST!!!
It was the first roller coaster experience for all four kids, and they all loved it! Rachel and I split up by taking the older two to a separate area from the younger two. That way the older ones could ride some real coasters that the younger ones couldn't ride on.
After lunch we switched, so that we could each ride some of the big coasters.
Near the end of the afternoon, before the rain rolled in, we all met up again and rode a smaller coaster we could all ride on. I got to sit next to Grady, our 4 year old.
He was so cute as we told him to raise his hands as we neared the top of the first hill. Seeing the joy and exhilaration on his face when we reached the bottom of that first drop was priceless!!!
He couldn't wipe the smile off his face for about 20 minutes afterwards!
It reminded me of something one of my friends told me about three different types of fun.
Three Types of Fun
Type 1 Fun: Going on an experience trip like this Kings Island trip or Disney or a cruise vacation.
The whole trip is fun as you experience everything in the moment of anticipation and excitement. Everything is fun about it because it's "supposed to be." You can probably relate to that!
Type 2 Fun: Little moments throughout the day.
This one happens throughout our normal routine of life. It's the laughs during tickle fights and the smiles over ice cream. It's also the high moments you remember from a road trip, because somehow you forget about the arguments and the bickering before you arrived at the theme park.
Type 3 Fun: Zero fun.
It's actually not fun at all, and you don't remember anything good about the whole experience. Maybe it was just a bad day and your attitude couldn't make the switch. Whatever the reasons were, it's the type of fun we do not aim for and do not want to repeat ever again.
Here are two challenges for you in light of this.
1 - Make time for Type 1 Fun.
Schedule that vacation. Buy those tickets to the theme park. Request time off work to make those memories with your family.
Our memories are the only things we get to keep throughout our lives. Make more of them. Be intentional about what memories you are creating.
But it starts with getting it on the calendar.
2 - Make time for Type 2 Fun.
This is more of a mental switch you need to flip throughout the day than it is getting it on the calendar.
It's about remembering to smile in the midst of the busy days with little ones.
It's about savoring each conversation with your teenager, even when the topic isn't very life-changing.
It's about soaking up the wisdom from your parents because, in all honesty, you've begun counting down the years you have left with them and you want to make the most of them.
It's about being intentional to be fully present in each moment.
I have found when I have spent the day working hard, writing and thinking and planning, that I can get stuck in my head when I'm "off duty."
If I don't put my phone down and slow down long enough to smile and pay attention to the conversation with my kid, then I miss it completely.
I miss the moment.
I feel agitated and annoyed.
I experience Type 3 Fun which is zero fun!
I don't want that, and I bet you don't want that either.
So, press in to each moment.
Find the joy.
Find the fun.
Make memories that last!
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