If there is one thing that will glue Greg and the girls to the TV, it’s an episode of “American Ninja Warrior”. They yell and cheer like it’s the Olympics. I wish it held the same mystery and intrigue for me, but I think of most of my days as an American Ninja Warrior obstacle course. Any Mother who has grocery shopped with an infant with diarrhea and a 2 year old who missed her nap IS an American Ninja Warrior in my book.

So you can imagine the girls’ excitement when Auntie Amanda announced on vacation the ski resort near our house had kids’ rope courses. WHEN?! NOW?! LET’S GO!! Because after all, watching countless episodes of the world’s strongest men traverse ridiculous obstacles means they have done their research. Sara and Kelly were fully prepared for rope courses in the mountains.

As it turns out, they were ready. Sara was faster than most of the adults we watched cross the course. A summer on the swim team has made her extremely fit and agile. I do so wish every Occupational Therapist who worked with her over the past 5 years could see this. Strangers were cheering for her (not that anyone could be heard over the wild yells of her Daddy.)

Sara admitted afterwards her knees were shaking “a little”. Really? Because I spent this entire course with puke in my mouth. Greg was ecstatic, which is his JOB. I was tightly holding a panic attack inside (cheering on the outside, sheer panic on the inside)…which is MY job. I thought that zip line would never end.

If Sara could finish the “Spider Monkey” course, there was no way Kelly was going to miss her share of attention. She bravely suited up for a Chipmunk Adventure. Kelly isn’t known for her sense of adventure, so I guess all that time I’ve spent with them on playgrounds is finally paying off.

Kelly’s course was instructor-led, which was just beyond sweet (and obligatory to her finishing). I’m guessing Kelly’s instructor was a cutie, because Sara held my phone during Kelly’s course, and later, I found many pictures on my phone. Not of my daughter…no. Of this dreamy teenager. Sara! No to ear-piercing, and NO to teenagers who work at ski resorts! I’m in for a heap of trouble with these two.

I was sure Kelly would have a heart attack and pass out on the zip line, but she held on like a chipmunk, screamed like a Kelly, and finished like a champ.

For me? The day was a simple conquering of my own fear. In these pictures we are standing in the direct shadow of the luge ride where Kelly and I had our accident 3 years ago. I swore my feet would never cross the threshold of Wisp Ski Resort again, let alone watch my daughters complete rope courses next to the ride. Kelly and I held hands and looked sideways over at the ride, unsure as to whether we should even mention that day.

Kelly: Momma, that ride is broken. It wasn’t your fault, you know? It’s possibly the world’s dumbest ride.

Momma: Oh my precious Kel-Belle. Let’s go get some ice cream you brave little warrior. And in the future….let’s stick to the rope courses!

Kelly: Agreed!