Monday, July 29, 2013

Wolf Pack


The call of the wild lured us back to Great Wolf Lodge for some wet fun with Nana and Papa Mike! Max has not been since he was a little pup and too small to enjoy most of the rides, so he was thrilled to find new adventures. Sarah didn't waste any time in adding some new friends to her pack...


Dump Zone




The calm before the wet


Testing the waters


"I swimming!"


Weight Lifting


It's crazy in here!


The kids were so tired post dinner that we decided to forego the pajama storytelling hour and curl up in our wolf den. Max and Jason quickly went to sleep, but Sarah had other plans. She couldn't resist a captive audience trapped in a single hotel room, and serenaded us with a medley of music ranging from the ABCs to Twinkle Twinkle to Itsy Bitsy Spider. She even threw in a little hiphop with Shaggy singing, "It wasn't me! It wasn't me!"


One of our vacation rituals is to have Max-Mommy time when Max awakens at his typical early hour. We scampered out of the room to have breakfast in our pajamas while the others snoozed. At least doughnuts and coffee helped Mama Wolf get prepared for the coming onslaught of water...


Wolf Cubs



Into the waves!






Sarah found her spot and could not be persuaded to abandon the water cannon.
Beware of the water baby!





Water Hoops






Down the chute!



Bucket Fun



Slides for Two




Boy Pack


No visit from Nana and Papa Mike would be complete without lego building...

It's a propeller plane, no it's a jet, no it's a hovercraft! 


The next time we go to Great Wolf Lodge we will travel via hovercraft.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

34 Acts of Kindness


For my 34th birthday the children and I embarked upon a kindness marathon. We created a list of acts to perform for others. Sometimes we explained what we were doing, some acts were accompanied by a note, and some were anonymous. We received a wide range of responses: gratitude, surprise, hugs, tears, suspicion, and even some kindness in return. After purchasing coffee for another customer, Starbucks gave my coffee to me for free! And the customer was a manager at McAlister's Deli and she offered me a free lunch! Kindness breeds kindness.

Here's our list:

 1. Taught in Vacation Bible School
 2. Made cards for VBS teachers
 3. Shared money with friends for offering
 4. Donated food to United Ministries
 5. Pushed carts in at Publix
 6. Left positive notes on bathroom mirror
 7. Helped customer with her cart and gave coupon
 8. Purchased boxes of goldfish and drinks for cashiers and baggers
 9. Took 2 bouquets of flowers to long term care unit at hospital
10. Left change on the drink machine
11. Took juice boxes to playground to give away
12. Helped pick up trash on playground
13. Left an extra big tip after dinner
14. Bought coffee for person at Starbucks
15. Left book on table for another customer to take
16. Put note on bulletin board at Starbucks
17. Took a basket of apples and strawberries (red food) to fire station
18. Took a tray of cookies for the library staff
19. Left an umbrella by the door for someone to take
20. Left change for late fines
21. Left diapers and wipes on changing table in bathroom
22. Put cookies in bank deposit box for tellers
23. Left envelope with money at gas station pump
24. Complimented attendant
25. Allowed someone to go in front of us in line
26. Held the door for everyone we saw
27. Left bags with crayons and small toys in waiting area
28. Hid dollar bills at the Dollar Store
29. Mailed a card to friend
30. Left a cold drink for mailman
31.Told my mother thank you for giving birth to me
32. Gave Sarah my balloons 
33. Split our acts into 2 days and rested (a gift to me)
34. SMILED at EVERYONE!






Being kind is exhausting! 
Max fell asleep on the couch, then rolled off without waking up.


Both kids taking naps was the ultimate act of kindness for Mommy!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The 'Fro

This girl can rock the 'fro:






I wonder where she gets her crazy hair!


Can't wait to get her a pick to stick in her afro!