Six Flags

Uncle Jeff works at Six Flags and he was excited for the kids to experience it. He brought home maps of the park when he came home from work the night before we went. The kids were already in bed, but the next morning they got up early and began to plan their day. It was the first really hot day of the year. But that proved to be to our advantage. Everyone in the park was at the water park. And because it is one of the smaller parks, and it was the middle of the week there were .......... are you ready ......... NO LINES!! Can you believe it! The only time we ever waited was when the ride was already going. Some rides the kids stayed on and said, can we go again! Joe thinks this gives them a totally unrealistic amusement park experience, but I was in heaven.

We started the day on the kiddie rides. This was Jacob's first, the other kids were too tall. I don't know where he learned that he was brave if he didn't hold on, but I'm sure dad would be proud. By the time this was over he was a little bored. I think too may rides on the rope swing that files higher than the house have given him the need for height and speed.
As we wandered though the kids section we saw a few cartoon characters.

We also stopped to cool the babies by dipping their feet in the fountain. Cora wasn't too sure about this!



As we went through the park, the rides got bigger. This was the first one that really got them all excited. It took them to the top then suddenly dropped about half way and then up again for a few more sudden drops. No Jacob didn't climb into another seat. He knows not to get unbuckled (After I took him to the police station to have a talk with an officer, but that is a different story altogether) This was one of the rides they hopped off of and then got right back on. After they rode it several times I even gave it a go. I will not post the pictures of my four year old laughing while I was screaming! It was fun though.
We then went into a big building that had tons of nerf balls and lots of guns and cannons and vacuums. The kids could shoot from all different heights and angles.


Here they are climbing in Tweety's bird cage. Each yellow cross beam is a different level that they could squirm in and out of. It was a pretty cool set up.




There is Jacob, no hands again, the adult in front of him is looking kind of nervous, but not our Jake. Next they went on their first 'real' roller coaster. I've found, if you are not on the coaster it is had to get a good picture. But they had a blast. Aaron was absolutely beaming when he got off.

By that time we were all really hot, so we headed to the water park. Cora was unsure about the big bath tub filled with strangers and was pretty ready for a nap. She was a good sport all things considered and let the kids splash and play for quite awhile. The two older kids went with Jeff to the wave pool and the lazy river. Monica and I managed the younger boys and little girls. Jacob LOVED the small water slide in the kid area and could have stayed all day.

For Aaron this is when the fun began. Catherine and I went back to the vans with the other kids and Aaron and Jeff went on the bigger coasters. We got the kids loaded up and Monica took them home. Catherine and I caught up with the boys at the HUGE Farris Wheel. I relaxed in the shade drinking our 100th refill while they got a birds eye view of the park.

This is called the road runner. They are in the little cart way up there! Jeff learned that sitting next to or in front of Catherine can be hazardous to your ear drums. Surprisingly, she still had her voice at the end o the day.
We hit a few more big kid rides before heading out for the day. In this picture Catherine has the perfect look on her face, scared to death and loving every minute of it!


We planned on going to Spaghetti Factory that night for dinner, but it was downtown and we were bushed. We opted for Red Robin and loved it. The kids always sing the jingle, but we don't have one around here so it was an exciting treat for them. Cora went nuts for my hamburger. None of my fears, other than that of heights, were realized and we all had a great day. Thanks Monica and Jeff!

Blogger is messed up

I have been trying to fix that line between the pictures of my last post and I can't and I keep being told that I have made a bad request when I try to republish my edited work. Speaking of which, I'm going to work now so you will have to deal with reading vertically. Pretend you are in Japan. It will be your daily cultural experience!

Vacation Tuesday

Tuesday we went the the Louisville Science Museum. Thanks museum membership! It was fun, but left me dreading Six Flags. Monica and I went with Alison and Cora, the one year olds, Andrew, 3; Jacob, 4; Catherine, 8; and Aaron........... well Aaron! At one point in time we were riding up the elevator, the doors opened and our kids darted out in five different direction! (remember Cora doesn't walk yet, so she was in the stroller.)

The museum entrance had a large, two story, concave dish with tiny mirrors all over it. We stopped and played with our reflections for awhile. I then put the camera away! The kids enjoyed a presentation on light and got to play with different things under black lights. Catherine and Aaron were asked to mix some solutions together so everyone could see the reaction. That was special for them.

The museum is right by the Louisville Slugger museum. It was cool to see the big baseball bat. You are given little bats if you take the tour. We decided to go home!

It started to rain as we left, but the parking was under an elevated highway, so we stayed nice and dry as we loaded the vans. For some reason that made me really happy. I guess it is those little helps along the way that make me smile!

Vacation Friday through Monday

The "staycation" is being touted as some new idea with the economy, but all my life little day trips have been the norm. This summer the kids and I decided to go and see some new places, though we still did it on a pretty amazing budget, staying with friends and family. Here is our vacation in photos, and yes I realize that a few of the photo shoots of Cora are more pictures than the average person would want to see, but grandmas and grandpas love it!

We began by going to visit my friend Trish and her family in Anderson, IN. It was so fun to see her again. Trish is the maker of Jacob's nigh-nigh blanket and I enjoyed seeing her latest projects. I think she has at least 15 quilts going at once. All the colors and textures really appeal to me. Cora is becoming mobile and her youngest is 7 (no more baby proofing for her) so I spent a considerable amount of time chasing while Aaron and Than played video games. I think they played at least 90% of the time we were there. This was heaven for Aaron, since I refuse to buy a gaming system and when he plays on his computer the time is limited.
Jacob and Micheal, the seven year old, had a continuous game of dress up and bad guys going on and there was always a nerf bullet flying through the air. He would come down in the best outfits. I chased him down for this picture. Trish took it all in stride and cooked up some yummy meals amidst the chaos.

We went swimming in their backyard pool and it was so cold. The cool water didn't stop the kids from having fun, though I was bummed that Cora couldn't go in. I didn't think freezing water should be her first pool experience.

We went to church in their tiny ward. I was keenly aware of the noise my family of four kids was making. And of course the talks were on reverence!

Here is Than holding Cora. I'm not sure that he was 100% confident holding this chubby little thing, but he did like her.

I wish I could have taken more pictures. McKinlee is growing so much and was such a doll with Catherine. They painted nails and went up to her room to listen to music and read. Two interests the they both share.

On Monday morning we headed out. We listened to Harry Potter in the van. If any of you have not heard the CD recordings of the book, you need to go to the library and check them out. They are GREAT. Jim Dale does the reading and the characters really come to life in an amazing way. The kids were good in the car, at least that is what I remember a month and a half after the fact. Joe's bookkeeper got them a big bag of games and treats for the ride. She loves kids and is so good to our kids. They go visit her most mornings and like to tell her about everything!

After driving for 4 hours we were ready for some fun. We headed to the splash park. It has a water side and a park side and the kids ran wild between the two. It was like trying to keep my eye on three hummingbirds at once. They had a great time. It started to rain, but the were wet anyway, so it was fun.

Catherine took to playing mommy to Alison right away. I think she enjoyed the fact that Ali can walk. Alison is two months older than Cora, but between her long hair and slender face and the upright mobility thing, she seems much older. She also does something quite curious. She actually eats the food that is put in front of her. She doesn't throw it, smash it, or scream at it. One day she had some bits of broccoli. I picked up a piece and put it on Cora's tray to see if she would eat it. Cora promptly threw it on the floor. Ali thought this was a good solution to the broccoli problem and she would put one piece at a time on Cora's tray and Cora would do the dirty work of tossing it over board. Monica put a quick stop to the conspiracy and Ali had to eat her veggies.

Little buns are so cute.

Sometimes you have to give in to 10 year old humor.

Did I mention, the storm front made it a little bit cool and Jacob liked to stand under the waterwheel that dumped out on his head.

This is his reaction. He is laughing not screaming in this shot.

Little Ali was fun to chase with the camera. I think Andrew, her brother must have been too fast.

After the splash park we headed to Monica and Jeff's home for some pizza and chilling out. It was a fun day.

Funny

During dinner Aaron wanted some help picking up his very hot homemade egg "dad" (rather than "Mc")muffin sandwich. Aaron said, "Does anyone have an extra hand?" Jacob, drowned out by the dinner chaos and ignored by everyone but Joe and I said, "I have an extra hand. It is in our room. On the top shelf." Then he paused and said, "On the left side." We had a good laugh.

Although........ sometimes he does have a dark side.

I'll look for the hand later tonight!