We usually take a summer vacation but this year...it just didn't work out. The girls and I were both sad to miss the beach as this is the first time since they've been born that we couldn't go. (Um wait...maybe second, I think we skipped the year Sprout was born too). So we decided we would stay home and do loads of fun things. And we did...my feet are still aching from all the walking and my thighs...enjoyed the pizza and pop and other goodies we had as well.
One of the things I liked best was that I got to sleep in my own bed every night. And I didn't have to pack. And there weren't any long drives...well, except to Cincinnati. That was a couple of hours. But it was a fun week.
A few of the things we did included a boat ride down the Ohio River. It was a lunch cruise and it was yummy. Sprout ate a ton of food! And perhaps two pieces of cake...or at least licked all the frosting off of two pieces of cake. "Banjo Bob" played old time music and gave us a lot of history about the area. It was really nice and the kids loved it.
After our lunch cruise, we hit the Newport Aquarium. The shark tank...SO COOL! The girls even got to pet a shark! Who pets a shark?!? That's crazy!
One thing the girls had been looking forward to for weeks and weeks was WEDNESDAY. We had decided to let them get hamsters but not until our vacation week. So Wednesday, we adopted Poppy and Daisy. I am now somewhat regretting this decision. They are so excited and love them. Me...they are cute and the novelty has already worn off, soon after the stink. It's mild but the big one, Daisy, stinks. Sigh.
The Columbus Zoo is amazing. The animal exhibits...fabulous. But we didn't go to the zoo to see animals. Because our zoo also has a golf course, huge water park and an amusement park area. We went for the rides. We never ride the rides at the zoo. Because we go to see the animals. But this week, we went JUST to ride the rides for once. And to see the new polar bears. Both...wow! So much fun!
I think I rode the elephants at least 8 times with Sprout. Um, the girl is like the energizer bunny. Never stopped. Never fussed. Loved every minute. Until about 5pm. Then she totally just passed out in her stroller. So cute. Woke up 30 minutes later asking to go back on the elephants.
But for the Gardener and I, the Polar Bears were amazing! You can view them from underneath or from the water surface...they played, they chased fish, they stuck their head in a bucket. I was standing like 3 feet away from a polar bear. 3 FEET! It left me speechless...squeeling and laughing with delight but no words. Just...wow!
It was fun to watch the girls have such a great time. Watching your kids just enjoy themselves, smile, laugh, run, play, ask for things and we said yes, yes, yes, all week...it was really nice. Really joyful. Really blessed. How are you making your summer last these days before school begins?
xoxo,
Trish