Me: Mini golf used to be so much cheaper!
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I post a picture and just a few words.
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Mr. FG: Yeah, remember how it was only $5 back in 1998?
Sonia: Wow, was everything $5 in 1998?
Hee.
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Even though it was a little expensive, I'm glad we went. We haven't taken the kids mini-golfing in years (it got to be a little bit not-fun when they were all small), and this time around, it was so much better. No one cried or had to go to the bathroom or needed to be carried, and everyone could handle their golfing pretty much on their own (although Zoe does engage in the sweep-the-ball-along technique every now and then.)
When we do stuff as a family of late, I keep thinking about how our crew is turning into quite a delightful group of people to hang out with. I mean, not that there aren't delightful things about babies and toddlers, but our kids are lovely in a different way now and I think it's good to appreciate that, just like it's good to appreciate the snuggly-ness of very small people.
I think we all perceive money differently as we age. As a kid, everything was insanely expensive. I had no allowance so $20 may as well have $100 and $100, may as well have been a million because I knew I'd never see that.
After I got my first part time job and was bringing home $109 a week I felt I was Mr. Monopoly Man and could buy anything I wanted.
Now I'm out of college, married and have a mortgage and thinking about kids. Everything is suddenly insanely expensive again. 😉
According to the Westegg Inflation Calculator $5 in 1998 is $6.99 today. Funny how some things are now so much cheaper (e.g. computers, CD's, Levi's) and others have skyrocketed beyond belief (e.g. gasoline, health insurance, etc.)
Ha! I went to that very site to check that very datum, even before I clicked on the comments. Glad I checked the comments first.
While there I ran a data series I've been thinking about for a while, that's relevant here. Over time, the price of postage stamps has increased approximately in line with inflation, no more. So while a stamp costs more than it used to, the relative price has stayed the same.
Movies are another thing that is crazily expensive now. I'm not looking forward to not being a student because tickets can be $20!
Bowling is what brings me back to 1998. My mom would give me $20, and I'd go to the bowling alley and spend $10 on 5 games, and then the other $10 on food (pizza, chips, drink, etc.) that I would split with my friend.
I went to a bowling alley a few months ago with my husband, and it was $5 PER GAME. My goooooosh. Heart attack nearly happened there.
Such a good point. Our youngest is 3.5 years old, and while I miss the baby stages, there are some great things about the kids growing up, too. Yesterday the kids and I walked to the library (1 mile round trip) without a stroller. Woo hoo!
I've learnt not to hanker after the past with my own kids. As they grew I realised every stage is the 'best stage' - the one we are in right at this moment.
Gosh dunno if that read right...typed it on my phone. I never type the same on my phone - how strange is that? I'm too curt!
What I meant was... when they were small I worried about the future and them growing and losing all those precious moments. Then as they grew I realised that every stage brings its own special moments, as well as it's worries of course.
I agree 🙂 Our girls are now 5 and 7 and though I love the baby stage, we are able to do different things now. I remember having that same thought over the summer in the swimming pool. They had finally just learned to swim independently and were playing with some other children at the pool and I was loving watching them. I homeschool too and want them around all the time (and that is why maybe I can appreciate this so much), but I was so proud watching their independence and really taking note of their growth. During the baby and toddler years, you spend so much time following them around and doing things for them...but now, it's hard to explain, but it's like you said, they are delightful!
The best is ahead of all you young moms. You get to see the fruits of your parenting labors!! And while I do miss the baby years, ( oh I do!) your kids as teens ( yep I said it) and young adults is fun, and awesome! And do not even get me started on the grand babies!! My oldest child is 34 years old today. No I cannot be old enough to have a child that age...hee hee, I started young, by today's standards, anyway. ENJOY, PEOPLE!! I look back and would've worried A LOT less, savored a little more, and been less hung up on the things that didn't matter. My family is like Kristen's, oldest boy, them three girls.
Yep...they turn into these cool people who are fun to hang out with. I like it.
Our Library has free movies and popcorn once or twice a year (mostly new released kid movies), some movies are played free, in the park, in the district, during the summer months, I do hate bowling and mini golfing being pricier. I do Chucky Cheese once or twice a year for $20.00 they play and eat (for 2 kids). Or better yet, I love nature walks by the creek, library visits, even tennis playing (I had some luck finding some cheap tennis rackets at Goodwill!)- all for free! All ages are happy (ok my toddler would probably be playing in the park while the others play tennis 😉 ) O and cannot forget basketball! Otherwise find good coupons for bowling or mini golf... Do miss those...OK enough of me rambling on
I'm still at the "cuddly tiny person" stage, and this post really put my mind at ease.
My current baby may be my last, and I'm feeling really paranoid about missing ANYTHING, and very sad about potentially never having a newborn to nurse and cuddle again.
There are lovely things about every stage I've experienced so far, so yeah, don't despair. Tiny cuddly people are great, but great things are coming too!
Also, you can always "borrow" - ie. babysit - a tiny cuddly person when you need a baby fix. The new mother will heap many blessings on you for giving her a much-needed break.
I haven't been mini-golfing in years! I think I'm going to have to grit my teeth and pay the fee once my son starts walking and can enjoy the game. What a great family outing...despite the cost. 🙂
Kristen, you know I fully support you! To my mind any kind of sport or sport games (whatever it is) help to bring up our children well, they are healthier and we don't have to worry about their mental activity too much. I'll explain 🙂 I heard many facts that sport games (in your case it is mini-golf) help to increase level of creative thinking. Healthy active people can't be unintelligent. May I ask how old are your children?