GWL = HAPPINESS

We decided to take the kids on an impromptu mini-vacation this week. OPTION 1: We toyed with the idea of going to Myrtle Beach (with our Maglinger family), but since it's 4th of July weekend, everywhere was booked. And, to be quite honest, Matt and I didn't feel like traveling that far. OPTION 2: Holiday World which is fairly close, and we've heard great things about. -Or- OPTION 3: A trip to Mason, Ohio to the Great Wolf Lodge. Option 3 it was, and it was one, GRRREAT vacation!

Day 1: We arrived at Great Wolf Lodge around noon. Isaac loved the huge, carved wolves on the front of the hotel and was howling at them.

After checking in and getting our wristbands, we spent the entire day at the waterpark. The wristbands at GWL are like being on a cruise ship. They do everything--open your hotel room, charge items to your account and even babysit your kids--HAH. I have to admit that the waterpark was nice but overwhelming. Being outnumbered by one child makes it tough sometimes because they all have different water interests if you know what I mean.

Can you believe this place?

The blue slide at the top of these photos is called the water coaster. You ride in a sturdy, rubber three person boat through it. It's one of the coolest slides I've ever been on. I think Karson rode it at least 10+ times.

The outdoor pool backed up to Kings Island Park.


Miles has gradually gotten braver as the summer has progressed, but he's no daredevil. Trying new things like the lazy river or family slides sends his anxiety out the roof.

After we were all water logged, we spent some time in the Cub Camp playing and doing arts and crafts. It's a nice place to relax and unwind. They also had games and extra crafts for a small cost.

I wish I could've gotten some better pictures of our room. It was very neatly decorated much like the rooms at Disney World. You can look at all the themed rooms on GWL's website. We went for the KID KAMP suite with a patio. The kids "camped" in a tent bunk bed with their own TV. Isaac opted for the fold out couch bed. I love how cuddly he gets at night--he likes being close to us =).

Day 2: we spent the morning and early afternoon at the waterpark. The kids thoroughly enjoyed an area which we liked to call the WIPE OUT ZONE (btw, love this show).
Karson maneuvering the wobbly lilly pads.


Isaac was TO cute on this course. He was to short to reach the ropes at the beginning so he'd hop onto the first log like a frog, plant, slowly stand up and grab the ropes. He's such a lil' shrimp. Sometimes the lifeguard would notice and pull the ropes down for him. I was amazed that both kids could do this quite simply. I do believe they have more upper body strength than me =).

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I tried to pack lightly with food and snacks since the kids aren't big eaters. Sausage biscuits, powdered donuts, chips, goldfish, uncrustables and chocolate milk went a long way. Matt and I also decided to bring a cooler with drinks and leftover pizza which satisfied us. I didn't spend much at the ol' grocery store thankfully. I always feel like I buy and plan way to much. So, lunch was boring but cheap which is my point.

After our fine dining, Karson and I headed to the Cincinnati Premium Outlets for some shopping. The boys were completely content staying behind. My main reason for wanting to go was to find Karson some new Crocs. She managed to break the strap on her yellow ways during our trip. I found some cute cotton candy Mary Jane's for her. We also stopped at some of my favorite stores like J.Crew, Gap and Banana Republic. They also had an Under Armour store which I liked.

When we got back to GWL, we surprised the kids with a trip to Kings Island. They are running a twilight special of $19.99 after 5 p.m. Five hours is PLENTY of time for us at an amusement park.

Family picture at the grand entrace. I love this place! I've logged some serious time at King's Island. I think we went there every year when I was in the youth group at Greenwood Park. I think we also went a couple of times in college. There is a new coaster called the DiamondBack that I cannot wait to ride (some day).

We spent most of our time at Planet Snoopy. Karson is starting to branch out and ride more "thrilling" rides. She loved the Flying Aces which is one of those feet dangling coasters. If we'd had more time, I probably could've convinced her to ride some more daring coasters.

I've heard the Beech Bend Retro Rock show at least a dozen times this season. I think Karson knows all the words to "Itsy, Bitsy, Teeny, Weeny, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". It was nice hearing Signed, Sealed, Delivered for a change.

Family time on the choo choo train.

Day 3: our final day at GWL. We spent the morning packing up the car and then headed over to the waterpark for one last hurrah.

THREE

HAPPY

CAMPERS!!!

Matt and I took the kids through McDonald's on the way out and found a P.F. Chang's on the map for us. We got a $25 gift card for our anniversary and thought that would be the perfect way to end our trip. We look forward to making many more GWL memories!

Kentucky Clay Camp

When Karson was in kindergarten last year, her teacher's were always bragging about how artistic she is/was. When the school year finished, I started looking into camps that she could attend in the summer. Unfortunately, all the camps were FULL and had page long waiting lists. I vowed to get her into a camp this summer and kept checking the Kentucky Museum's website for registration information. When the classes opened up in December, you better believe I was the first one on the list =).

Karson gearing up for a fun day at clay camp. Miles had to tag along because of a dental appointment.

I'll tell you what, I felt like we were back in school mode this week. It was all we could do to get to Western's campus by 8 a.m. everyday. When you live out in the Plano boondocks, you have to account for tractors, construction trucks, and Scottsville traffic going into town.

Getting Karson to "talk" about camp was impossible. Luckily, the museum has a fan page on facebook filled with pictures. Here are a couple of shots from this week's activities.

Karson and all of her clay creations. Believe it or not, I have to go back next week and pick up even more. She told me today that she is looking forward to church camp. Our church camp falls the weekend after she finishes up with Lil' Topper basketball camp. She's going to be all camp-ed out by the end of summer!

SHEESH! It's HOT Outside!

I've made a real effort this summer trying to organize more playdates and activities for Karson. The first week she was out of school, she was ready to go, go, go. I can't say that I blame her. School days are long and there is a lot to accomplish. Me and the boys don't operate on that kind of grueling schedule. If we get at least ONE thing accomplished daily, it's a miracle =).

There aren't many places to go in the summer when it's THIS HOT outside, but one place we have come to LOVE is Beech Bend. We decided to purchase season passes at Christmas, and they have certainly paid for themselves. We've pounded the pavement all summer long at the ol' Bend. Karson's friend Kaylee joined in our fun last week. I don't know who was more excited Karson or Kaylee--they both love each other and get along very well.

The boys also LOVE our time there. We usually go once or twice a week. With the summer heat blazing down on us, we spend most of our time at the waterpark.
Summer 2010
The kids have turned into water bugs this year and are now sporting the regular goggles and not the gigantic scuba masks.
Fall 2009
Pools seem to be the highlight of our summer. We haven't been to Matt's Mamaw's pool as much this year because of our BB passes, but we did venture over there last weekend for Emmie Lou's birthday party.

The kids had a blast playing together and jumping off the diving board.

I took the kids to Circus Square park on Friday afternoon for some sprinkler action. I think it's neat when cities offer places like this (free of charge) to go and cool off. I really wish I had worn my suit. It was 1,000 degrees that day, and sweat just poured off of me.

I think all the sweating has been good for me weight-wise. I have actually lost weight this summer with all the running around and SWEATING. The main cause of my sweat is all the ballgames I've attended. Tonight is Karson's last game of the season. Her league had a tournament over the weekend. It was single elimination. The girls made it to the semi-finals game but were beat out by the Herricanes. There were lots of tears, but all of us parents were proud as peacocks with a 3rd place finish.

Our coach Bud and his daughter Peyton had to miss this game due to vacation. I know it killed both of them not to be there.

As a mom, I've discovered that the summer can become QUITE challenging with three youngsters. Last year, I was still able to implement mandatory rest time and catch a few hours of peace. This year, not so much. It feels like this summer has raced by. And with changes and busy, chaotic schedules, the behavior and temperament of the kids can become AWFUL. What's a mom to do??? At this point, I'm purely operating on a reward system. Bribery seems to work best with kids as a whole. Fortunately a local Dollar General is going under (I guess that isn't fortunate for the employees but definitely for a desperate mom of 3), and I scored some great treats for nothing. Almost all of my goodies were $1 with an additional 40% off. The kids are working hard at earning their goodies, and I am yelling a lot less--win, win!