Mini Vacation

My husband travels sometimes for work.  He had a quick trip last week to Sandusky, OH (along Lake Erie)...the kids and I tagged along.  The boys love any chance they get to stay in a hotel and for it to be a Great Wolf Lodge was just a bonus.  The kids all love the water, staying up late and eating out.  So, while Daddy worked, the kids spent a few hours swimming, sliding and splashing. 

While playing with Hailey in the kiddie pool, a mom approached me and asked how old Hailey is.  In my mind, I was already building up my defenses for her response to my answer of 17 months.  Generally, it is either one of shock or they have a connection with DS.  Her response was simply, "My daughter is 4".  I turn to look at her daughter...long brown hair and running all over the place.  Her daughter looked at her grandpa and said that the pool was for babies and she needed to ride something bigger.  I had to laugh.  Being in the midst of frustration over Hailey not drinking from a straw and no where near close to walking, it was nice to see a young girl a little older than Hailey.  It gave me a little renewed hope that yes, Hailey will eventually get hair and yes, she will eventually walk (and the little girl did a fantastic job at communicating her wants).  Yes, I know that sounds silly....I know that will happen, but is nice for the visual sometimes!

Thank goodness she slept part of the way.

We generally don't hear a peep out of this one.

I don't even ask questions with him sometimes!

Starting the bear crawl.

He's getting too big for his momma.

Can you tell she thinks she is funny?

The look of defeat

Giving Dad "the look"

Hailey did surprise me a little in the water.  I don't like the fact that she will continue to go deeper and deeper without fear.  I was happy that she was at least spitting out the water while the water was going over her face.  She did start bear crawling because the pool bottom and the tile surrounding it were hurting the leg she keeps on the ground while she crawls.  It was funny to watch.  She climbed the steps to the bear slide on her own, but did need help getting down the slide.  She then crawled back around to go again.  Hailey had her fill of the water after about an hour so she watched the boys climb and slide.

We had dinner at our favorite local pizza place and then headed to walk along the lake.  We looked at the boats in the marina and watched the rides at Cedar Point.  Lastly, we stopped at the local dairy for ice cream.  We might have had some overly exhausted children that night, but they were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the next morning to swim a little more while Daddy worked and before we headed home.

This cracks me up

I think Hailey is scaring this little girl

Playing peek-a-boo while waiting for Daddy

It was a nice little getaway for the kids before the boys start school and soccer.  Dad would have preferred to not working, but oh well...

It was a beautiful drive home.