Monday, August 31, 2009

Oh,

The Love of

Spontaneity

As soon as Mike got home from his camping trip with the Young Men:

Mike:  “Hon, what do you want to do today?”

Me:  “I don’t know.  I’ve got a honey-do list I’d like done around the house… like separating the girls’ bunk beds and switching out a couple fans while I get some stuff done myself?”

Mike:  “I’ve got a better idea.  Some of the guys were telling me about a sweet hotel not too far away with a 6 acre water park.  We could go to that?”

Me:  “You don’t have to twist MY arm.  Let’s go!”

We got the car and the kids packed and were off in record timing of 40 minutes with one bag total for everyone and our big swim bag. 

It was only for one night!  Less packed, the better!

IMG_5298

We checked in and each got a wristband to do the water park. IMG_5414IMG_5166IMG_5167IMG_5170IMG_5173IMG_5176IMG_5180

The kids worked up quite an appetite the first hour or so of swimming.  While we were waiting for the food, Mike came with a stack of ketchup packets and started squeezing away. 

Isaac:  (very confused)  “Daddy is that ALL we’re having for dinner?”

Mike:  (very very sarcastic and laughing)  “Yeah, Isaac.  All we’re having right now is a bunch of ketchup.  Doesn’t that sound SOOOO good?”

What a joker.

IMG_5183IMG_5184IMG_5193IMG_5194

Believe it or not !?!  That first pile of ketchup was just NOT enough for our family.  We had to squeeze out another pile, just as big, to satisfy us all.  We are BIG ketchup lovers!

IMG_5204

The water park was a blast.  The kids loved every second of it.  Dagen, surprisingly, behaved VERY WELL throughout our stay there.

IMG_5189IMG_5207IMG_5217IMG_5212IMG_5219

Ooooh la la… looking good Mike! 

IMG_5232

After some playtime in the fountains we went back to our room and quickly got into our pjs and went for a walk down this beautifully lit path to a Mexican Restaurant called Aunt Chiladas.  It was around 7pm and the kids were so tired but were set on going back to our room after dinner and get back in swimsuits and watch Monsters Inc. on this big screen outdoors by the wave pool.IMG_5238IMG_5246

They were WAY TOO tired after dinner.  We took a vote and none of the kids cared to swim again and all were ansie to get into the nice cool sheets in the hotel room.

There was a slight argument though, as to who would be sleeping in the room with the two queen beds and who would be sleeping in the hide-a-bed.  Isaac and Kallie DID NOT want to sleep in the hide-a-bed and Jaidyn was indecisive. 

So… to work this little problem out… I grabbed 3 crayons, 2 red ones and one green and told the kids to choose one.  Whoever pulled the 2 red crayons would be sleeping in the hide-a-bed.  Jaidyn and Isaac got the red crayons, so they got to sleep in the hide a bed while Kallie slept in the other bed with Dagen, next to us in the other room.  Rough night, though.  Kallie had this cough that kept us up all night and Dagen is a wiggle worm and was making a ton of noise.  Around 1am, Mike got up and grabbed Isaac from the other room and switched out Dagen.  Poor Jaidyn the next morning said that Dagen wiggled too much and kept waking up saying, “Jaidyn.”  (all the night long)IMG_5256IMG_5254

IMG_5258

Donuts were yummy for our tummies the next morning.

IMG_5261IMG_5263IMG_5264IMG_5267

Everyone went ahead and stayed in pjs for the ride back.  But Mike had found this neat park down the street, with ducks we just had to stop at.

IMG_5288

Dagen was spazzing out screaming, “CAW CAW CAW!”

IMG_5323 IMG_5310 IMG_5345IMG_5394IMG_5334IMG_5348IMG_5382

Lucky the kids did not notice this couple not too far away from us.  We were the only two groups at the park.  They were having a makeout session right there in front of us all.  Their kids were off walking around and I was guessing they either shoood their kids away to explore, while Mommy and Daddy “talk” for awhile, or if the kids decided on their own to explore around the park and Mommy and Daddy were thinking, “Quick!  They’re gone… this is our only chance for some romance!”IMG_5400IMG_5326IMG_5325IMG_5363

When we got home, first thing Kallie wanted to do was get this wristband off her arm.  Then she was a happy little girl.

IMG_5411IMG_5412

Saturday, August 29, 2009

FUN FRIDAY

Mike had to take off for a Young Men’s campout, so the kids and I enjoyed the day together just the 5 of us.  The kids thought there was nothing planned for the day, so they were begging to do something fun.  What they didn’t know was that I HAD A LITTLE PLAN in mind.  I told the kids we needed to return a redbox movie and return some library books and that MAYBE we’d check out some new books. 

I pulled into Dairy Queen and told the kids… “I think we need to get a little ice cream before we run these errands, what do you guys think?”

(kids screaming)  “Yeah!!!! Thank you Mommy, thank you!  I knew you would do something fun today!”

I wouldn’t tell them anything about where we were going.  CIMG1898 CIMG1899CIMG1900

Isaac was trying to suck the ice cream through this whole he made.CIMG1901CIMG1902CIMG1903

We got back in the car… “Where are we going, Mommy?”

Then we went to the Dollar Store and the kids got to choose any one thing they wanted. 

Exact words from the drama mama, Jaidyn:

“NO WAY!  This is the best day of my WHOLE life!  My heart is beating and pumping really fast.  I keep turning around and seeing tons of things I love… and want… and I’m getting dizzy!”

(What?…  Such a drama mama!)

MAN!… I didn’t think the kids would be that excited.  Sheesh… it’s not like we NEVER do fun things.  I guess my kids were not expecting anything fun… I don’t know why that was… and this blew them away.  Glad my kids were easily pleased.

The first thing Jaidyn noticed was a fake dipped cone, just like what we all enjoyed minutes before.  Funny.  After looking at the picture, I think she really had her tongue on it.  Gross!  Come on… Jaidyn.

CIMG1908CIMG1910CIMG1914CIMG1917

The kids had a really hard time deciding what one thing they’d take home with them.  FINALLY, Isaac decided on a bunch of ring pops, Jaidyn chose a porcelain doll, Dagen would not put down this little doll that looked like it was wearing a hospital gown, and Kallie chose a baby toy set with crib and stroller.

CIMG1918CIMG1919CIMG1921CIMG1923CIMG1920

We then grabbed Coraline Movie from the redbox and were on our way to the library when Mike called and said he was going to head home really quick to grab a few things and then head out.  We took a quick vote in the car, and it was unanimous that we all go home instead of the library… to say goodbye to Daddy.  “Raise your hand if you want to forget the library and go see Daddy for 5 minutes to say goodbye before he leaves.” 

Cuties all raised their hands… even Dagen.

The kids showed off their toys to Daddy and gave him kisses goodbye after he had been frantically putting all his camping gear together in the car.