The Perfect Day Date | Adventure Park | ZipZone

This post is sponsored by ZipZone but all thoughts, opinions, and experiences are my own. 

I really enjoying getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things, exploring in new ways, and challenging myself.  This weekend we did all of those things and more at the new ZipZone Adventure Park right here in Columbus.

It wasn't what I expected at all, I thought we would just fly through it, I mean we love ziplining so this should be easy, right? Not quite.  We started off on what the guide described as the "easy" trail - well I got two steps in, and walked back convinced I couldn't do it.  Tears. Mainly tears of embarrassment as there were guides all around offering encouragement, my husband who was already all the way across now coming back to sit with me,  and a line of other people waiting to go.  So I stopped, I took a step back and watched everyone from the starting point.  I wasn't going to give up, I just needed a minute.  This was weird for me, but I knew what I needed. I needed to watch for a moment, see how the different elements worked with other people on them, before I tried them myself.  In life, I find that sometimes taking a moment and evaluating the situation so I can make careful and calculated moves helps immensely, and this situation was no different. 

When I was ready I got up, hooked myself up to the yellow course, I was going to start small and move forward as I felt comfortable, and took off.  Cody, a guide who believed in me and promised to stay with me for the first few elements on the ground offering encouragement was there, my husband behind me this time, and a harness that was not going to let me down, and I was ready to go.  The first two elements were a challenge because I was getting used to it but after that I felt my confidence skyrocket and I was ready to go.  We finished the yellow course and moved up to the green trail - there were a few elements that challenged me  but that's exactly what you want out of this experience.  You want to be challenged, you want to try something new, if it were easy it wouldn't be as much fun. 

I want to give a huge shout out to Cody who stayed with me for the first few elements to encourage me. It was so comforting knowing that I had him within earshot to ask questions, or save me if I started to dangle (which I didn't). :-) Thank you Cody! 

I finished two courses and watched my husband on the Blue course, which is the most challenging,and then we headed home.  I left really proud of myself, it may have taken me a little longer than others but I finished not one but two courses.  So how does this all work? 

When you arrive you get checked in, sign your waivers, and head out to get your harness.  Once everyone is there for your time slot they start a safety training and then you head out to the course.  You're on your own. There is a large tree house like platform that you walk up to, and pick your course.  They have yellow (easiest), green (easy), another green, and blue, in about a week or so black which is supposed to be amazing.  You can go at your own pace, explore however you'd like. Do as many courses as you can fit into your two hours.  I asked a lot about the training of the guides during my down time while watching my husband on the blue course and learned so many fun facts, like the guides have timed runs on the different elements so they can get to someone in need ASAP.  That was really comforting to me, they also have a cool little device that can get you down in the middle of a course should you need it.  

When I was scared for the first 5 minutes, I looked at my husband and told him that if our kids were there I would want them to see my conquer my fear. I did conquer my fear and I was able to tell my daughter all about it when we got home and she thought it was amazing and was so proud of her mama.  If you're looking for a new challenge I would highly recommend this.  It was a really cool experience and I would go back in a second. 

Ready to rock it!  

So so pretty!!  

Killin' It ;) 

Blue Course! Riley said this one was the hardest element for him.  

Cody - the best guide in the whole place!  

We did it!! 

Locker Soccer

A few months ago my little guy saw some guys practicing soccer as we drove past the park.  He immediately started asking a million questions (like most 2 year olds do) and through his questions he found out that his daddy played soccer and loved it.  Like a lot of young boys, his dad is his number one hero, and learning that he played soccer was the most amazing thing he had heard all week.  Owen started showing interest in playing soccer immediately.  

In typical Eryn form I started researching soccer programs for young children and digging into what makes each program different.  For Owen's age (3 years old) I was mainly looking for a program that was play based with great coaches.  Through all my research, I found that Locker Soccer was the one program that stood out.  They came highly recommended by women in my mom's group and I loved what I heard from the staff about how their programs runs.  Bonus - the program is indoors so they run year round.  I don't like to change things around a lot so if I put my kids in a program I like to stay there and not bounce around so a year round program was a huge bonus for us. 

We started at Locker Soccer in December of 2016 - every Saturday at 11:20 we were on the field passing a soccer ball around with our little guy at 11:25 we headed off the field and Owen went to huddle with Coach Mike and Coach Allie.  It made for the perfect Saturday. 

Coach Mike is incredibly patient with all of the kiddos he has running around the field.  He keeps them engaged every second and while we were new to the season it was clear that the other parents knew him well and loved him.  There was a moment that Owen wasn't listening and was just running around on the field while Coach Mike was speaking with the other kids as a group. It looked to me like Coach Mike didn't notice so I went up to the net and tried to get Owen's attention so he would go back to the group. Coach Mike looked at me and said "He's fine mom, I've got him." He did notice that Owen wasn't with the group but he was giving him the time to explore for a minute before getting him back with the group.  It was in that moment that I knew we had picked the right program for us. 

We spent many Saturdays taking our guy to soccer, warming up with him, watching as he made new friends, and laughing at just how adorable a bunch of three year olds are playing soccer together.  Owen would come home and talk to us about his friends, his coaches, and then ask his daddy (not me or his sister) to go play soccer with him.  

Owen now loves soccer for more than just knowing that his daddy used to play but because Locker Soccer has taught him about the game. He loves running around the field kicking the ball, playing sharks and minnows, and seeing Coach Mike and Coach Allie.   He can't wait for Spring Season to start. Stay tuned for updates on how he progresses and how the program changes as he gets older.