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!

Room Rules

Karson and Isaac have recently become fixated on making rules for "their rooms." I'm not sure if it's meant as a form of torturing each other (most likely so) or just kids expressing themselves.

They make these drawings, grab the tape and run straight to their door for posting.

Isaac unfortunately cannot spell or read so his rules consist of drawings. His room rules are: no colored balls--see all the different "colored" balls, no 8 year olds--huummmm?, no happy people, no sad people, no scared people, and no SMOKING. When I asked him about the green circled picture, he said "only mad people can come in." No problem there, his room is usually a WRECK in some form or another. It doesn't really make me mad, but it certainly doesn't make me chipper =).

Karson's room rules are a little more forward and insulting: I only let perfecto pepol like me, no stained shirts, no heart problems--what?, no nerds, ugly or stupid pepol, no shirt, no shoes, no room and no smoking.

Gotta love these hooligans!!!

Hot and Cold

I'm happy to report that our kids haven't killed each other yet this summer. However, it is only June 10th. Honestly, they get along most of the time. I wish I noticed them playing nicely together more than I notice the SPARRING and YELLING (I guess the demands for my immediate attention are greater when this is happening). Their relationship for the most part is HOT and COLD.

Last night, the kids were in the dining room coloring and "getting along". I had just sat down for the 1st time that day to watch a little Hoarders when Isaac came running into the living room upset. He said "Karson made a No Boys Allowed sign for her door and that means I can't come in." I said what any mother would say, "well, just make a sign for your door that says no girls allowed." To which he responded, "I don't even know how to spell that." So he runs and grabs his paper and markers and happily (evil-y) creates his own sign. I like how he put YES BOYS in the corner of his sign. I mean really, look at the rooms below...

and decide for yourself which one you'd rather be in. Umm, I'll take the girls side--thanks boys for un-inviting me in =).

Sheesh, it's funny how I can ask the kids NOT TO DO SOMETHING and they never listen. BUT, if it's written on a sign and plastered on their door, then it must be law. Maybe I should start writing out our house rules on paper and taping them up around the house??? So thankful that Miles isn't to involved in their "drama" yet. I love it when he collapses during the day. He tries his best to keep up with his big bro and sis, but he forgets that he is still a 3 year old.

Summer Summer Summertime

Okay it's not officially the summer season, but we have started our summer full force.

Karson's last day of school was last Friday. We missed out on the "last week of school" activities last year because of our Disney trip. It was nice watching all the kids receive their awards this year. Karson took home the Outstanding P.E. Student award (which is an honor because each of the "specials" teachers just chooses 1 boy and 1 girl per class). She also received the Ravenous Reader and Wonderful Writer awards. Karson ranked 94 percent on the STAR national reading and is reading at the level of a 3rd grader after 6 months of school. Whoo Hoo!!!

I also love reading Karson's journals that she brings home at the end of the year. I assume the kids write in them daily. My favorite page is the one below:

It says:
My family is great.
My brother is funny.
My other brother is cute.
My dad is lazy.
My is strong. (I'm thinking it was supposed to say MOM)
I am smart!

*HAH--I thought it was funny that she said Matt is lazy. Matt didn't think it was as funny =).

We have already been to Beech Bend four times. The kids ask to go daily!!! It's actually one of the first years that I don't feel stressed out about going. I'm able to sit and watch them enjoy it. The FREE soft drinks this year is AWESOME! I guess they are trying to compete with Holiday World??? No chance. Beech Bend is close to my heart. In fact, I do believe I rode some of the rides that my kids are riding (yes, some are that old). I made the mistake of riding the swings a few visits ago. Oh my, I thought I would die. And to top things off, a kid barfed right in front of me.

Good thing the kids have stomachs of steel. They rode the Flying Bobs over and over again. If Isaac had a choice though, he would spend his entire time at Beech Bend at the Petting Farm. He lovesssss the baby goats.

One of the nice things about the spring/summer season are weddings. Matt and I fortunate when (he is) asked to be a part of one. Matt performed a ceremony on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend for a couple at church. I haven't been to any outdoor wedding that I can think of, but it would be SUPER hard for anyone to top this one. It was like a picture out of Southern Living magazine. Everything was gorgeous, from the table linens to the barn decor. I asked my talented friend Melissa D. to snap some family pics. for us. I wish I had color coordinated better because I thought the pictures turned out beautifully.

Karson and her friend Chase boogey-ing on the dance floor!!!

We spent Sunday afternoon (of Memorial weekend) at Nolin Lake. Oh yeah! I have logged many hours on Nolin Lake. Our kids are more familiar with Barren River because it's close to BG, but hopefully, they can make some fun memories at Nolin too.

I love the simple, inexpensive things that capture our kids attention. They love getting codes out of the Baby Bottle Pops and using them on the website (total cost at IGA is $1.49). GROW sea animals are always a hit and making me a Dollar General fan (total cost $1). And, last but not least, Silly Bandz have taken over our house. Who knew $4.99 could make a child's day??? Good stuff!!!

I had to put this picture in here. Very rarely does Miles get to play with kids who are his age. I guess when you're the 3rd child, you think and act like your older siblings and always want to be around them (and their friends). I want Miles to have some exposure to his peer group prior to starting preschool this fall. I invited a handful of his pals over for a playdate yesterday morning. His friends Zoe and Lydia came over. This is Miles and Lydia doing YOGA. They are just the cutest!! I'm looking forward to many more playdates with his buddies.