On Belay

Another super-fun birthday party! Alice's friend, Jenica, hosted her birthday party at the local YMCA where all the kids got to try out the rock climbing wall. Harnessed up..

And ready to go. Well, not quite yet. This was the huge wall where the kids played around while waiting for everyone else to get in their harness.

See? It was a huge wall. No way that a novice climber could make it up that one.

Alice and Jenica still had fun pretending.

Then it was time to get serious. Cai, the instructor, taught the kids a few rock climbing phrases, such as "On belay." "Alice, you are on belay." And, up she went.

Henry, although originally just there to tag along with me, got the chance to climb too. Boy, oh boy, Jenica's mom is sure nice!

Up he went, rather quickly. I really thought he was going to make it to the top, but his fingers got tired and he decided to come on down.

Alice took a second try.

She did a great job and really had fun.

Henry just knew he could make it, if given one more chance. Up, up he went.

Ring a ling a ling. He rang the bell!

He was totally psyched about this accomplishment!

A great birthday party with fun had by all. We'll be back there for another climb in the near future.

Happy birthday, Jenica!