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Great Wolf Lodge
09.20.09 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Great Wolf Lodge
We celebrated the beginning of the year with a trip to Great Wolf Lodge last weekend. We had a marvelous time with our friends Jeff, Michelle, Sage and Luna. The first hing we did was head to the waterpark to splish and splash! These waterbikes were a favorite of Jude’s. Squirting water was everywhere. A little too omnipresent at times!
Gigi showed off her swimming chops in the bigger deep pool. She crossed the lilypads several times and truly enjoyed the Canyon River Run. We climbed the stairs to whoosh down the canyon several times over the weekend.
Jude marveled at the gigantic waterpark. So much to see, so much to do. It was almost overwhelming!
One of the most exciting parts of the adventure had to be the MagiQuest. We purchased the wands for 14.99 and activated the game for 9.99. It seemed expensive until I saw the level of excitement and engagement from the kids.
We spent HOURS climbing stairs, figuring our clues and waving our wands at various interactive crystals, pictures, maps and screens.
Eventually, the kids earned all of the runes and were ready to fight the dragon… Except we were out of time. Fortunately, the wands will wait until next time when we can renew the game again, play it all over, and go back to fulfill our quest.
Bathtime for Mom and Gigi, after a rough day at the waterpark and on a quest, there was no better way to relax at the end of the day than with a jetted tub full of bubbles. It was a wonderful trip!
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A Capitol Idea
09.18.09 | Permalink | | Comments Off on A Capitol Idea
On the way to Great Wolf Lodge this past weekend we decided to stop in Olympia to take a peek at the state capitol. We arrived on the scene to find a teaparty underway. Undeterred by the conservatives, we wove out way through the masses and made our way inside the building itself.
It is really a pretty amazing and beautiful building. Wall to wall marble everywhere you look and interesting details like this cool Washington State doorknob and door plate:
We scooted all over the building and even made our way into the senate commitee room by attaching ourselves briefly to a tour.
The kids were rightfully impressed with the building and with what happens within. They appeared awed with the prospect of what happens there: laws are made!
As we made our way out we realized that the demonstration was picking up steam, and it was best to leave before we got too worked up. We made our way down the steps, over the grass, past the poster of Obama as Hitler, into the cars and headed down the road to Grand Mound with another story to tell.
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Truck
09.17.09 | Permalink | | Comments Off on TruckJude’s dream is realized: we have a RUCK! He hollers, every time he sees it, “RUCK!” And to ride in it is a DREAM. “RUUUUUCK!”
You would think that Disneyland had arrived on our doorstep the first time this 1985 wonder gave them a ride. “We can ride in the front seat?!?” Gigi marveled. No airbags and no backseat make for an amazing adventure for two kids who have always lived in the time of carseats and backseats for children. You can look RIGHT AT YOUR PARENTS, not just at the backs of their heads! Amazing!
The windows are amazing. They roll down with these things you have to twist around and around instead of pressing a button. It is so cool because the windows can’t get locked. Gigi can roll the windows down ANYTIME! And nobody can stop her!
Martha is one happy pup too. Finally, a vehicle that she can ride shotgun in. It’s meant for dirty work and construction, so who cares if the dog gets it all hairy. Plus, she can hang her head out of the window joyfully AND hang out in the bed when she’s on the construction site and too tired to work. Totally fun for all of the kids. RUCK!
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The Kindergartener
09.16.09 | Permalink | | Comments Off on The Kindergartener
It’s official. We are in the presence of a kindergartener. And not just any kindergartener, the Princess of the Playground (seen here with her friend the Queen of Kindergarten).
First day jitters weren’t a problem. Gigi got up, got dressed in her rainbow skirt and unicorn shirt, packed her backpack and headed off to Hilltop to begin her thirteen year career as a public school student.
She was first in line to lead the crowd into the classroom. She made a few friends in line, with other, more terrified kinders. She introduced herself and quickly followed with the information that she already knew the teacher and that her mommy works at the school. It was apparent that this was an easy transition for her into this new life. Not so much for Mom, who cried at the prospect of her little girl growing up, and Dad, who was going to miss the steady company of his little baby girl.
In the classroom, she was at home, sitting with her new-found friend and teachers, Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Gregorio (formerly Mrs. Goregorio). The children hung up their backpacks, school had begun, they waved goodbye to moms and dads and we stepped out, releasing our children to their teacher’s capable hands.
I snuck over a time or two to sneak a peek at my happy kindergartener. She blended in perfectly. Later that night she told the story of the gingerbread man who led the children all over the school, meeting all of the teachers and staff who would support them on their new journey. At recess she got to play with a good friend, and the end of the day found her hungry, tired and rightfully proud. The kindergrtener.
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Sunflowers
09.14.09 | Permalink | | Comments Off on Sunflowers
Peggy came and watched the kids today while I got dolled up like the Tar baby dampproofing the foundation with 5 gallon drums of black asphalty yuckiness. I was so engrossed in conversation with Peggy and Jude that I didn’t even notice the nice gift of sunflowers from her garden that were stationed on our kitchen counter until after she left. Thank you Mimi, and we sure hope the zuchini bread in the refrigerator was for us as well because it looks yummy.
