Water Park

The water park was accessible through the theme park. We packed our bathing suits, towels and change of clothes. Katie wasn't really into it though. I was hoping she would be more excited because there was more rides/slides there that she/we could of gone on but she wasn't interested.
They did have a nice kiddie area that wasn't too crazy. This was a cute little submarine being attacked by an octopus - two slides and water spraying.
This was a huge structure with nets and ladders and water guns and sprinklers - with some slides attached that she didn't want to go down. We did walk around it and had some fun.

This was a "big" ride that we both went on. Pretty cool - we both had fun. Sit in a big raft which is taken up on a conveyor then spins around as it goes down the rainbow track. We did one other big water ride which was a lot of fun.

Six Flags New England

We spent the day at Six Flags - they have a water park attached to the theme park which we did pop into, Katie wasn't really into it so we didn't spend too much time there - I will post some photo
They had Thomas Town right at the start. She knows Thomas but never really got into it. We went there and had fun.

Took a ride on Thomas.

Flew on Harold

Then off to Wiggles World. We have one at our Six Flags but thankfully all the rides were different. This one is like the buccaneer but the ship also rotates 360 degrees - fun. there is a video below.

It was hot there also she cooled off at Henry the Octopus.

Wild Spaghetti Rodeo wagons.

Dorothy the Dinosaur Tea cups ( which thankfully I was too big to go on with her - those things flip my stomach around )

Then off to Looney Tune Land. They had a small roller coaster which she liked but knocked me all over the place. We "drove" the jeeps with the Taz

Up into space with Martin the Martian

Beautiful end to a great day

Oh, they had a game booth for kids. Anyone under 54'' would play until they won. Sounds good right? Well they had to throw darts at balloons and pop them ( very difficult for Katie ). After about the tenth toss she was able to hit the counter top that the balloons were on. The attendant was very patient with her. I think she lost two darts in the bins of stuffed animals. After about a dozen attempts she was able to hit one or two balloons , but unfortunately with no amount of strength so the darts promptly bounced off the balloons. The attendant was willing to let her keep trying and Katie also wanted to but after the dart hit the poor lady in the foot I called it quits. Katie walked away with 4 small stuffed frogs ( just what she needs - more stuffed animals)

I would like to think she had a wonderful time. Here she is passed out in the car. I was hoping she would of made in to the hotel ( which was 7 miles away ) before passing out. But no - so I had to carry her and her frogs upstairs to our room.

Mini Vacation

Katie and I took a small road trip this week. I had Tuesday and Wednesday off so I decided to take full advantage of it. We drove up to Springfield Massachusetts right after work Monday night. Katie was great in the car - entertained me for a while then fell asleep. i had to wake her when we arrived at the hotel but promptly fell back to sleep once settled in - luck me.
She decided to wake up at 5:30 am though - not soo lucky me. She really liked the idea of eating in bed and watching t.v. ( which gave me another 1/2 hour to wake up )
The hotel we stayed at had an indoor pool that opened at 7 am, which is good for young children who wake up before the rest of the world does. This is us at the pool at 7 am. She had a blast swimming around, and I was able to enjoy the hot tub.

While in Springfield we visited Six Flags New England ( since we have season passes admissions was free - main reason for this crazy short road trip ) and we also visited the Springfield Science Museum and Dr Seuss Garden ( fyi - Theodor Seuss Geisel the author of the Dr Seuss books was born in Springfield MA)

All in all a great trip and not too tiring - am thinking about more short trips with her. It's nice to have days off during the week to travel, which I will only be able to do for one more year until she starts school.

Backyard

I am in love with our backyard. I can't wait until it really starts cooling off to do some serious landscaping. We put up a hummingbird feeder and have had a pair of hummingbirds come every day.
Gorgeous flowers.

We have gold finch that will come and pick at the center of these flowers - these are one of the only flowers that the deer haven't eaten. The rest of the flowers are all chewed off stems.

Afternoon visitors. They are helping themselves to the bird food. I don't mind.

This one is up at Nana's. They are used to people and will tolerate us a lot better then the ones in our backyard. We will see how we do over the years - maybe we can befriend a few.

Nana & Papa's

Well Nana and Papa are up for the summer. They have their little "cottage" in PA. It is great having them so close.
Papa is reading the comics to Katie.

There was a concert one night. Katie loves to dance.

All the cousins got together for Zachery's birthday. It was great to have them all in one place - doesn't happen too often.

Cake and presents.

Playing after the rain.

Playing games.

Taking the dog for a walk.

Camp fire

And smores' woohoo

Nothing like the great outdoors to bring every one together :)