This is a story that I have had every intention of writing
down for the last week. However, as people well know, pandemic life often leads
to a multitude of disruptions and procrastination. Never fear though because
I'm finally writing this down.
It's true that life in quarantine hasn't changed nearly as
much for me as it has for a lot of other people. For one thing, I don't have a
traditional nine-to-five job forcing me to work from home, trapped in a bedroom
like some kind of prisoner (I'm sorry about that, Bethany). Also, I'm not
having to try and homeschool my kids like many are. Instead, as a stay-at-home
dad, my job mainly revolves around trying to keep my children entertained while
maintaining my own sanity. For the record, doing just that has become
increasingly harder during the pandemic.
One of the things that Ellie and Ethan seem to miss the most
about pre-quarantine life is a good trip to the park. Prior to current events,
we would find ourselves there at least once or twice a week if weather is warm.
Nowadays, there's nothing to do at the park other than gaze longingly at the
caution tape-covered equipment as we sadly read the "Park Closed Due to
COVID-19" signs. As a result, the two find themselves without a good
outlet to satisfy their daredevil streaks. While we do have a child's slide in
our subbasement, a trampoline in our family room, and a swing outside, none of
those options seem to satisfy the quest for danger both kids seem to have.
Instead, the only thing Ellie and Ethan seem to want is to ride a roller
coaster.
Obviously, not even Ellie is tall enough to ride a roller
coaster at this stage of her life. Also, with the current social distancing
standards, who knows when one will even be able to ride a roller coaster again.
Lucky for my kids, I am the master of creativity and ingenuity. Using our
laundry basket and YouTube videos, I have been able to create any roller
coaster known to man within the cozy confines of our family room.
With Ellie and Ethan both safely crammed into our laundry
basket, I reenact all turns, hills, and drops that they see on the screen in
front of them. I don't take it easy on them either. I'm more than willing to
sling the two around any and all turns, adding in my own yells as they go
"up and down the hills." By the time we "pull into the
station" to complete our ride, Ellie is already asking for another coaster
ride. For the record, it normally takes four rides for me to finally cut her
off.
Seeing as how Bethany isn't really a big fan of roller
coasters or most theme park rides, I honestly can't wait for the kids to get a
little older so that I have riding buddies on thrill rides. I'm even already
imaging Ellie and I standing in the real-life queue for her favorite
"virtual" coaster, the Slinky Dog Dash at Hollywood Studios. Who know
if it'll actually happen anytime soon but one can dream, right? #DaddyWrite
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| Couldn't pass up animated Patrick Mahomes riding a carnival ride. |
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