We didn't plan any summer vacations or get-aways due to the recent birth of Evan, however we decided to have a little mini-vacation this weekend in Colorado Springs. I've decided I don't think it really matters how far away from home we might go, or even the nature of the trip itself - simply the word 'vacation' infused our home with a palpable level of excitement all week. We got a 'Car Travel Games' book from the library - and Allison made sure we went through it and picked out some good games (which we played enthusiastically in the car and while waiting to be seated at Village Inn for breakfast). The night before, Allison and Carter packed their bags with so much energy and enthusiasm, I was almost excited to pack my bag.
So we left Friday morning - choosing to head straight down to the Springs rather than stop at Walmart for diapers because I calculated that we had just enough to make it until Saturday night. On the car-ride down we listened to audiobooks, kids-songs, played the alphabet game, and a new word game from our travel book. When we arrived an hour later we found a delightful park (Thank you GPS!), and had a picnic lunch. I think the playground must have been filled with brand-new sand that day - because it was so full and soft and not a bit of it was tracked-out into the surrounding area. Allison asked if she could bury herself in it - and after a moment of hesitation, I decided - absolutely! This is the closest my kids are going to get to the beach for awhile - let them have their fun. So they did. And we did. We ate ham and cheese sandwiches (thank you to Dad who packed our lunch that morning) and 'Foodles' - which make eating apples and pretzels and cheese cubes so much fun.
After some serious dusting-off, we made our way to the Focus on the Family headquarters. They were having a chapel-session for all the employees and so we waited a half-hour outside until they opened. Allison and I put our handy travel games to use once more while Anthony and Carter left to find a potty. At 12:30 the doors were opened and we had a wonderful afternoon of fun. There is such a nice spirit about the place. Upstairs they have interactive displays and movies and a bookstore (a lot like a temple square visitors center and deseret book), and downstairs is a world of fun for the kids. The highlight is this big - 3-story twisty slide. Allison went down once - and then related how fun it was that I had to try it. You put your feet in these big duffle sacks and put cut off socks on your elbows to prevent them from hitting the sides - and then you slide! She was right. It was super-fun. We also enjoyed the world's best soft-serve ice cream. Seriously. I have never tasted such yummy soft-serve. It was Dreyer's brand and it was the richest, creamiest, chocolatiest cup of ice cream I have ever mooched off Allison (I always say I don't want anything and then just snitch off what the kids order. I should stop doing that).
One more note about Focus on the Family. The mother's nursing area is the most ornate nursing room I have ever seen. Artwork, antique clock, ornate rocking chair, indoor plants - it was beautiful.
After several hours of fun at Focus on the Family, we went to Garden of the Gods. We walked around the paths - and occasionally Anthony and the kids would find these little trails that they would go explore. After one escapade Allison and Carter come running out of a bunch of trees and declare that they've just escaped from a 'deep dark forest', but not to worry - because there weren't any bad-guys. We have dinner at Schlotzsky's and then return to the hotel where the kids swim for an hour before crashing into bed.
The next morning we sleep in a bit, have breakfast at Village Inn and then head up to the North Pole. As we are walking in we see a big sign that says '50 Years of Fun!' Allison looks at the sign and with amazement in her voice declares, 'Mom, I think that means it will take us 50 years to go on all the rides!'. I laugh and explain to her that this amusement park has been around for a long time and that I use to come here when I was little girl.
We have a wonderful day. The park is perfect for a 4 and 3 year old. They are able to do nearly all the rides . . . no actually every single one. I think we hit every single ride during the day, except for the one or two that were out of order - and I think Allison informed me that we missed a shiny car one . . . Oh - and they did take a shortcut through the haunted house . . . but aside from that - they experienced the full North Pole.
The little boats that had bells that the kids could ring brought back vague memories for me. I remember the joy of ringing the little bells on the boats - and I'm happy to report that the charm of the bells has not been lost. Allison and Carter rang those things with vigor! I also think I might have vague memories of feeding the deer??? But maybe I'm inventing memories . . . I don't know - but Allison and Carter loved that. Allison was delighted that the deer were clamoring for the food she was feeding them out of her hand.
We did the rides, saw Santa, went to a magic show, and then finished the day with one last ride on these umbrella things. I went with Allison (Anthony went with the kids on most of the rides throughout the day while I stayed with Evan) - however I decided to give this last ride a go. It has been awhile since I've been on amusement park rides - and it made me a little sick! Nothing drastic, but not something I wanted to do again.
OK so now let's see if I can post some pictures . . .
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