Monkey business

At first glance, Marc and I knew the "Funtopia" place in Lehi was something our grandkids would enjoy.

Hannah conquering her fears

We could easily envision Mia at the top of the plastic tower of blocks. We could see Cael climbing the rope ladders.

Mia monkey

We just weren't sure that Hannah would like it just because she's unpredictable in what she'll try.
But we signed on anyway since we were having them for a week while their parents and oldest sister went to Maui.
It looked like something different and fun.
We signed up Marc as well because he likes to try everything and we might need him to help bring somebody back down once they climbed clear up.
Turns out no one had to do that and in fact, the only one that fell off with a terrific thump was Marc!
My job was to monitor the process.
The only real trouble we had was that Cael, being 3, was a bit too lightweight.
His safety rope kept taking him up when he wanted to stay down or where he was.

Grandpa trying to keep up

Someone had to hang onto him to keep him on top of the blocks.

Cael coming down!

But the attendants were very helpful and one guy even went all the way from block to block hanging onto Cael's safety line so he could reach the top one. (He was a pretty proud little boy!)
Mia is a natural climber with no fear so she had a ball. Up, down, all around.
Hannah had done this once before, sort of.
She'd come to a climbing place with a birthday party group and found herself paralyzed with fear.
This time she was determined to give it an honest go.
During the safety video I noticed she was shaking so I offered her my jacket.
"It's OK," she said, "I'm not cold, just worried."
We progressed and everyone got hooked up to a line and off we went.
Bravely, she started up a wall.
Next thing we knew, she was grinning at us from the top.
She climbed the walls, the ropes and the towers.
She hung from all kinds of contraptions.
She never complained or cried or asked to quit.
I think we have successfully created a monster. (Funtopia is expensive!)
Oh well, that's what grandparents are for, right?