Little People, Big World Recap: The Family that Plays Together, Stays Together

It is becoming apparent that this season of Little People Big World is going to focus on the contrast between Matt and Amy Roloff’s failing marriage, and the shiny penny bright, and optimistic impending marriage of their son, Jeremy.  It is an interesting angle, but casts a dark cloud over most of the scenes, which is a bummer. The episode opens with Jeremy and Audrey skipping through the sun drenched yard to share their big news of the accepted engagement.  They show off the ring, share their decision about the date and that they want to be married on the farm. Aside from Audrey’s hideous green nail polish, it was a sweet scene.  Amy lets us know that she and Matt are in the process of trying to figure out their relationship, but the longer they are separated, the more comfortable they become. Yikes. We are then treated to a torturous dinner out, where the couple struggle to speak to each other.  Amy says that she hopes that Jeremy and Audrey make it to forever, and Matt is offended and takes it as a dig.  I would have called foul at his overreaction, but I have seen the whole episode, and I think he may be onto something.  Amy questions the wisdom of how she and Matt rushed their marriage, and resents that Matt is challenging Jeremy, who is doing the same.  That seems like a contradiction…wouldn’t she want Jeremy to go slower?  I don’t get it, and Amy seems argumentative and passive aggressive to me. Matt seems less hopeful of salvaging this train wreck than Amy.  Why is there not marriage counseling going on?

We hear of plans of a family vacation, and although I’m mildly confused, I am happy at this point to get away from home.  I think they are grasping for family time away as a band aid, but I am up for it.  Matt wisely thinks that you can’t count on the kids to keep them together, but it seems they are going to  give it a whirl anyway.  They are planning to go to a mountain resort and frolic in the snow, and I have my fingers crossed that it won’t be an emotional bloodbath.  They take a break from vacation planning to drag their little chapel 100 yards to the bluff where Jeremy wants to have his wedding. Jeremy shares that the farm is his soul and he wants to see his kids grow up there. He is worried about it being sold, and it’s sad. They move the church successfully, and I am thankful that Matt isn’t building some gaudy Taj Mahal replica for the wedding. 

They all jump in the van and head off.  Molly is still abroad, and if I didn’t know she was coming back next week, I would be worried. We need some more female energy in this group.  Amy back seat drives, and I would like to tape her mouth shut. They banter about wedding details, and Amy thinks that Zach might be getting ideas about his own long term girlfriend….hmmmmm.  They arrive, and over dinner we hear of plans of a family winter games competition. Sounds ambitious and fun…and nothing that I can imagine my family going for. The first event is Amy and Zach in a cross country ski race.  We see Jeremy carrying Matt in the snow…and it makes me giggle…sorry, I couldn’t help it. Amy wipes out about a dozen times before she hits her stride and catches up to Zach, who edges her for the win.  It made me wonder if it is harder or actually easier for a little person to recover from a fall.  

The next contest was snowman building, and both snowmen turned out creative and cute. Amy gets crabby about the judging and she is officially bugging me. They end the contest with Zach skiing against the sledded snowman in a downhill race, which was entertaining.  The next competition is Jeremy, Jake, and Matt in a downhill ski race. Matt is freaked about getting hurt, and I am asking WHY are you doing this?  However, I admire his determination… GO Matt!  Jeremy wins, Jacob is second, and Matt is a distant third.  It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but good for him!  Roloff Family Trivia was next.  Zach comes up with questions that stump everyone, and Amy acts obnoxiously competitive,  I am loving the young man Jacob is becoming…he used to be a bit of a whiny kid, but  seems to be growing into a kind and sweet guy.  Everyone is encouraged by the shared family memories, and it seems like old times. Sigh.  The last contest is a dog sled race, and I am officially JEALOUS!!  I detest snow, but I would kill to do this. The dogs were gorgeous, and acted like they were on amphetamines, and it looked fabulous!!!  The one extremely weird aspect of the race was the requirement of taking a selfie, and that instantly killed my jealousy. Blech.  The games are over, they add up the points, and apparently it is quite a mathematical challenge. Come home Molly!  Dollar store medals are doled out with Matt winning the gold. The trip is an overall success, and everyone goes home in a happy haze.  That haze quickly burns away, and we are back at the farm, being exposed to  another awkward discussion between Matt and Amy. How I wish we were back in the snow….which is crazy talk coming from me!  

We wrap up with Jeremy and Audrey walking through the church in their love bubble, taking selfies. I can sense I am going to have to develop selfie patience, because clearly they are a theme this season. Can’t wait for next week…Molly is back!

 

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