We took the kids to Venture River today. I’m so glad we had 3 adults to 5 kids. Everyone wanted to go a different direction!
Melissa mentioned that her girls wanted to go to Venture River. I hadn’t been in years and years and years, but I thought my kids would love it. Thankfully my Mom wanted to go too because 5 kids is a lot to keep an eye on in the huge water park. The kids had so much fun. Water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, etc. Kaitlyn was a little perturbed that her height kept her off some of the waterslides but she had an awesome time on the ones she could. I was impressed with the staff – especially on the waterslides with tubes. I had Kaitlyn in my lap with no floaty (I didn’t even pack one) and they were great about watching for us at the bottom and pulling her to the steps immediately so that I could get myself out of the tube and to the edge.
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We got home and the kids were beat! I couldn’t believe nobody napped on the way home – even Kaitlyn and Teague stayed awake. We split the kids up again for sleepovers and I got the big kids and Lissy took the little girls.
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Cousin pool time!
Because we are gluttons for punishment, this is the second summer in a row we have traveled to see our family in the South (relative to where we live) during one of the hottest weeks of the year. The pool sounded like a great idea and so off we went for a morning/afternoon of playing.
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These cousins love sleepovers so we started the week with one tonight. Melissa took the big kids and for the first time the two youngest got a sleepover too. I had planned to put them in the same room but let Mackenzie have the big bed and Kaitlyn stay in her crib. Kaitlyn was having none of it. Evidently a sleepover means you have to use the bunk beds so we did that and the girls were great.
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Wade had invited his high school crew (and their families) over to his parents house for the afternoon. Kids ran wild. Adults talked. It was much fun. We got a group picture and another of the high school crew.
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Then the kids and I said good-bye and got on the road for Paducah. Wade is staying in Memphis till tomorrow and flying back to Boston. The kids and I are going to spend the week in KY with my family before making our slow drive home. We made it to Paducah in time to visit my sister and her kids. The goofballs wanted to hang out at the end of the driveway. Why not?
Daddy puts up with so much.
This boy was born to drive.
A moment with Pop.
In a rare quiet moment, I tracked down all the kids to find them reading together.
For the second time in 10 years, we happened to plan a trip to Memphis and then realized it was the same weekend as Wade’s high school reunion. (For the 10 year we met up with some of his friends but didn’t attend any official events.) This time, Wade wanted to be much more active. There was a planned activity tonight so Wade and I ended up with a night out and his family watched the munchkins. We only stayed at the official event about 30 minutes – it was insanely loud!! Then his “group” went out to dinner. Here’s his group – 20 years later.
Checking out the fish at the Bass Pro Shop.
Kaitlyn was super excited when Pop suggested bathing suits in the sprinklers. The boys were on the fence. Then Daddy joined in and everyone loved it!
Alex and Teague have been taking evening bike rides with Aunt Emmy. Today they brought bread for the ducks.
Teague could definitely ditch the training wheels but refuses to give them up. We did manage to get him to practice a little, but even after riding successfully he wanted them back on the bike.
Bubbles. Everybody love bubbles.
Today’s big plan was a morning at Shelby Farms with a picnic lunch and some paddle boating. It turns out that the paddle boats are run on a rather unpredictable schedule, so we opted for canoeing instead. It was insanely hot but everyone seemed to enjoy the ride. Perfect timing and location has a splash pad right next to the canoes. Wade, Emily, and the kids cooled off while I found a shady spot (with a fan) to read and Judy and Jerry picked up lunch. We had a picnic lunch near the playground and let the kids play until the heat was just too much. Then we headed back to the house for showers and naps!
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Today was Granny’s birthday so of course we celebrated with some presents!
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Today we were hoping to paddle boat, but it was closed. Turned out canoeing is just as fun!
Kaitlyn loves Granny’s dishwasher – especially that each piece of silverware fits nicely into a little slot.
We are spending the week with Wade’s family and have lots of fun things planned. The general theory is to do something fun in the mornings when it is not as hot and before Kaitlyn’s nap. Then the boys can do their own special thing or just play with all the adults while she (and I) nap. Today we headed to the splash pad – which everyone loves! Why oh why didn’t I wear my swim suit?
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Splash pad for the win!
(Memphis is HOT)
Splash pad for the win!
(Memphis is HOT)
Splash pad for the win!
(Memphis is HOT)
The kids used to be big bike riders – in Milwaukee. We had a great sidewalk and street with little traffic. Then we moved to Platte City and a gravel driveway. Next it was Chicago with a ski slope for a driveway. There just wasn’t a lot of places or opportunities for bike riding. Thankfully our Grafton house has a nice flat driveway, sidewalks across the street, and neighbors that ride their bikes. It’s definitely time for both boys to learn to ride bikes with no training wheels! Granny and Pop had loaner bikes waiting in the garage when we arrived this afternoon. Alex was super excited and pretty much taught himself within no time at all. There was a tree/bush casualty but otherwise he’s fairly steady and learning fast!
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Today Wade introduced Alex to G.I. Joe. Thanks to Judy for storing all of Wade’s old toys this many years.
This is the life. Breakfast in bed.
We’ve never dried her hair in front of the TV before. She sat so nice and still.
We are driving to Memphis (a 17 hour drive not including stops) and decided to make it a multi-day trip. Last night we stayed at a hotel with a pool in the hopes of wearing the kids out a little before hitting the road today.
The real reason they like hotels.
This is very typical of what I get when I ask Wade to take a picture…
What’s a road trip without a stop at Waffle House?
My girl.
Teague got new oven mitts for Easter and is just now trying them out.
(It was hard to find child-sized that were actually insulated!)
Video games are a favorite evening activity.
Kaitlyn came running in my room this morning asking to play with Iris (in Milwaukee). She was rather upset when I tried to explain Iris was a really far way away.
Madison will happily follow me into the pool but otherwise she is content to stay on the deck. Today I was under the water taking pictures quite a bit and realized Madison was in the water looking for me. I tried to photograph her, but it turns out it’s tricky to get an underwater picture of a dog (who doesn’t put her face under).
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Alex can dive down to the bottom of the deep end. Crazy.
Teague is determined to jump from the side of the pool to at least the halfway mark. He can almost make it.
Underwater action shot.
Alex has a friend across the street that rides his bike everywhere. Suddenly Alex is motivated to get out his bike and learn to ride without training wheels.
Learning all about airing up a bike tire.
We were all playing outside when Kaitlyn wanted to join us. She was wearing her Elsa dress and didn’t want to get it dirty outside. We compromised on changing into a bathing suit – the only clothing in her room she can reach. This allowed me to stay outside and her bring me a change of outfits.
Teague loves monkey and he can often be found in the crook of his arm. I never want to forget how he tries to do everything with monkey in place. Today he’s attempting to unload the dishwasher without putting monkey down.
They were so excited to go shopping with me this morning (or not) but we made it!
These are my favorite pool pictures. Teague is the perfect size/weight for Wade to throw!
They all wanted to jump at the same time. It didn’t quite turn out because Kaitlyn got chicken but it was adorable to watch.
It’s finally warm enough to try out the new sprinkler!
They found the superhero/graphic novel section and have explored no further.
Library.
Kaitlyn must have known I was planning to take the changing pad out of her room this week. She has been using it all morning for her dolls.
(The only reason it ended up in her room after the move was to give it a safe home while we unpack and work on the nursery.)
