09/07/2009 "roller coaster, beach or a pool"

All Summer long Lacie has asked for a "vacation." And once even asked, "mommy what is a vacation?" I guess wanting to make sure she really wanted a vacation. I am sure she began to ask about it because all summer one friend or more were going on "vacations." So, John and I decided that we could afford a few days somewhere, but where? So we talked and looked on line and the best we could offer my sweet daughter was only two of her three requests.

She got a roller coaster . . .


and pool vacation.



We went to Kings Island and stayed two nights at the hotel there and they also had a pool. Friends went with us and that made it even more enjoyable.




They all had a great time. I never dreamed that I would put my children behind the wheel of a sports car at such a young age.




I just hope that they do not think all future vehicles are "bump" cars. If so, we could all be in trouble.


But they did great and I think that I will be able to trust them when they get old enough to drive for real.

And I did not know that dogs could fly, but obviously my kids did. So glad they did not "scoodoo." I would have missed them.


One of Lacie's favorite things to do is swing. She did not even have to work to get this swing going.


This ride was a total hoot - both kids laughed so hard they almost could not catch their breath. I have it on video but thought I should not wait any longer to post an update about our vacation.



Thomas was also at Kings Island. Isn't this the most precious cargo?


Ok - the parents too.

Lacie's most favorite ride - the reason for this vacation:




At the end of the day, everyone had so much fun. Paul had so much fun he fell asleep.


And Lacie fell in love with Michael's daddy.


And to top off the mini vacation we took, we got to stopped in on family on the way home and had even more fun in their pool.



In this picture I was telling Lacie and cousin Ethan to smile:
See the sweet smile on Ethan and the forced smile on Lacie?

So I decided to use reverse psychology and instructed them to "Not smile." "you better not smile."
It worked for Lacie. And Ethan - well he took me seriously. Aren't kids just totally awesome? (with a few exceptions of course.)

So while our vacation was only two days long, we had a wonderful time being away. The kids had a great time having mommy and daddy alone in one hotel room with undivided attention. We will have awesome memories to last a long time. Thanks Pikes for going with us and enduring our whirlwind vacation. AND thanks family: Uncle Glen, Aunt Bonnie and Cousins Ruby and Christa for letting us visit, have lunch and share your pool as we totally enjoyed our visits!

Next year we hope to go to the beach.