The Big 2, 4, 6 Birthday trip

So this year I gave the girls the option....another birthday all together or a trip (all the kids birthdays fall within a month of each other).  They didn't know anything about Great Wolf Lodge but after I saw a  groupon for it and showed them  a promo - of course they were interested!  Yes!  This momma loves to travel and I knew this would be a great time for our family (plus it was about the same price as a party without all the work and stress!).

You know it is never a good idea to have high expectations, and even though there were some bumps in the road, overall it was a great experience!

The long line to check in (think amusement park ride - just to check in!) took awhile, so Beach had the kids change in the car while I waited.

There was a girl wolf in the lobby to greet us before we plunged in!

It was well worth it for the joy it brought the kids (and us all) once we finally were able to make it to the water!

Ezra was intimated by the whole ordeal so he spent most of his time being held.

He still had a great time, too, though!

And daddy and I took turns with the fun!

It was so nice that they had a special area just for the little kids!

Beach was such a great sport with the them!

The girls ventured out and tackled some large slides...which Zoe loved and often repeated.  I was surprised that she could do all but one (due to her size) and was all about them.

Beach and I were a bit weary of trying out our waterproof phone cases for the first time...but they were so awesome to have to capture such memories! 

The Lodge, also, provided life jackets which were a must in trying out the deeper areas!

After drying off we put on our PJ's early and ate dinner in our room.  The kids couldn't be more thrilled to have an actual bunk bed!

Ezra made me nervous when he wanted to constantly check it out!

While checking in and hearing that we were celebrating birthdays, they gave me a couple of vouchers for free ice cream...which we cashed in for some gelato that we all shared and enjoyed together!

They had a few things going on around the Lodge so we had fun taking some pictures.

The kids were adorable in wanting to wear their wolf ears around everywhere...including Ezra who wanted to match his sisters.

Story time was a riot...and by riot I mean totally crazy!  It was mad crowded and the animated show was a bit creepy and hard to understand.  They repeatedly sang about how there was nothing to be afraid of (I think it was subliminally to make the kids not scared of them).

However, most the kids loved it, including Zoe howling along at the end!

The time change that night was a bit tricky for getting them to bed (especially Ezra) but they all managed.  I was especially proud of my big boy, as it was his first time not in a crib and he stayed in his bed all night!

The next morning, our groupon included breakfast!  We got there pretty early (strongly recommended), beating the crowd.  Since our family has little practice in this area, it was great that it was buffet style (no waiting) and they could just pick and chose some things that they wanted to try!

It was thankful a success (partly do from all the special breakfast treats that they don't usually get to have)! 

Then it was back to the water park!

Ezra eased into the fun a lot sooner this time.

The girls loved playing together, especially mermaids from their first recent viewing of Little Mermaid.

To top it off a parting gift....a gift certificate to the store provided a chance for the girls to pick some rock treasures.  They loved it and I remembered how much I loved playing with similar rocks at my grandmother's house as a child.

Of course we had to take a few more pictures before we left!

And even found a wolf to hug!

We had a blast!  What a great 2, 4, 6 year-old birthday trip! I'm hoping we can do birthdays trip style in the future as well!

So strong... to THE BEST

There is a large part of me that wonders how my littles will take and hold on to the messages, ever so subtle, that they may receive, even if they are meant in a positive light.  Man it's so tricky being a parent!  

A couple of times now, Zoe's new gymnastics teacher has pulled me aside to let me know how strong Zoe is, and with a little work she could be flipping over the bar and moving onto the next class.  Now honestly I did not feel that this activity would be a strength for my little girl who is so tender, cautious, sensitive and easily hurt (characteristics that I did not really see blending with the sport).  So I was really shocked when told this news, although I had observed her holding herself up on the bar and was surprised then.  I was not aware that her little arms had any muscle on them....but yet....they must.  Her little frame is complements of her father.  While I may not be obese myself, I have to work supper hard for it.  Her dad, on the other hand, weighed 135 in High School, at 6'3" (bless his heart).  

So I proudly told her dad and grandparents what her teacher had told me.  That is one thing I want to be described as, STRONG (although I have learned in many ways recently that this is far from the case), so I want my daughter to think that about herself as well.  You are strong my darling.  

 

The days following she would talk about how strong she was and how she wanted to be the strongest one in her class....yes she is a bit competitive ....and that sinking feeling began to tug at my heart.  THE BEST.  How I have fought those underlying voices in my own life in different areas at different times.  THE BEST.  How it can spur one on to being better and doing one's best....but yet that is different than attempting to be THE BEST.  The best will always lead to disappointment, heart-ache and the underling lie that Satan is constantly whispering....YOUR JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH. THE BEST seems to put the focus on self....and not the Lord.  Not acting out of our weakness, not doing so for His glory, but our own, after all if we are THE BEST that means ALL others are below. 

The next time I worked out, Zoe was by my side.  It was a shorter Tabata style and she stayed with it the whole 30 minutes....using her 3 lb weights and all.  I loved having my little 5-year-old workout buddy along side me.  We talked about how this would make her stronger in gymnastics.  BUT I struggle now...was her heart's desire just to want to be with me, join in on the action, do it because it was fun, or was she working out just to be THE BEST.  

Oh my little love, this will be a challenge for you for many years to come (if your anything like me) but I pray, pray that your BEST can turn into wanting THE BEST for Him!

We made it! Bring it on 4 - Shiloh!

The glorious ages have come, I do adore the range of 4-6, as there is still so much love involved yet reason and a bit more patience, too.  My dear, Shiloh, we have worked so hard to come to this time.  

I tried to think of things that you adore to make  your day special.  You were delighted to have a few decorations up before you awoke on your day.  One of your favorite things to do, and have only gotten to do one other time, is to visit your BFF at school.  You were so very excited that you packed your lunch by yourself the day before while I was working outside (complete with a large baggie holding 1 carrot).
So on your special day we had the privilege to attend sister's class, read them a book and then have lunch together.  You did a smashing job! Sister's teacher even remarked how amazing you did and that you were "ready for school".  I responded that it was a miracle.  Knowing how very far you have come since last year, when attempting to take you to a reading program seemed to be a joke and often left me in tears (we had to take a loooong break from even trying them again).   I had even debated enrolling you in a special needs program.  You have come  along way!

What a special treat indeed to share some ice-cream together.  Complements of a free coupon and you get to choose the mix-ins. 

We got to talk about what a mall was and somehow afterwards you convinced me to go into a near by clothing store.  I managed to find a dress on sale, even though we were just quickly running in, and you adored dancing in front of the dressing room windows.  

After picking Zoe up from school we had a fun quick trip to the playground and then off to the gymnastics that you love!  It's a joy for me to see you jump and swing on the bars, often looking to me to see if I had seen your actions!

Pasta for dinner, a special treat indeed at our house that got eaten quickly by all.  Then it was a yummy dessert, strawberry cupcakes that we had made together that morning.

The frosting would not work right for momma, stressing me out, but you didn't mind at all. 

 We opened a few gifts and your giving heart was quick to share with your sister.  You also appreciated the paper she made for you that morning.

You were excited to get the Frozen chap stick, the one thing you asked for!

 

One of my favorite parts of the day was snuggling with you and sister in bed.  I read from my blog about your birth story.  So happy I could go over those details and how you made your unique entrance into this world.  

My big girl, you often get mistaken for at least a year or two older (and you are taller then even some of the boys in your sister's class), yet your heart still longs to be little and asks when you will return to being baby.  So I am so thankful that I get to slow down and just hold and rock you.  You have such a loving spirit, so comforting to when someone is hurt.  Your curious mind brings up some awesome spiritual questions that are so good for my heart to ponder and return, too, as well.  You keep me humble and in need of the Father in the best ways to parent your strong willed self.  Your giving spirit is one that I admire, as it does not come easy for me, but just seems to flow from you.  You are so beautiful inside and out and I love looking into those big brown eyes!

I have had a blast with our special dates that we have managed to squeeze in, knowing that your middle child self needs such quality time. My darling, I'm so excited about what this year has in store and I hope our relationship continues to grow even more and more.