We surprised our boys with an overnight adventure to Great Wolf Lodge. Originally we planned to go there last spring for Zander's 7th birthday but with Covid restrictions, the resort closed and we were refunded our money. Fast forward to this winter and us continuing to worry about future restrictions imposed by Covid, we decided to be spontaneous (as in we booked our night away less than a week in advance) and gave the boys a day/night to remember before going back to school. Since the boys are taller and more advanced swimmers than they were last spring, I can't help but feel that the timing was absolutely perfect for our getaway! Maddox was able to do all of the water slides except one based on his height and both boys enjoyed every single water feature since they love swimming in the water! This made us less nervous to let them explore what the resort had to offer (always within a quick swim or a few steps away from mommy or daddy)! I took this picture on our way down when the boys thought we were going to a new "park".... they had NO IDEA it was a water park!! I had packed our things and hid them in the back of the car without them seeing our suitcase which of course included swimsuits! They couldn't believe we were spending the night when we pulled up and even asked if they had swimsuits which mommy proudly mentioned that I packed everything they needed for this surprise adventure!
When we got there, I was able to check us in quickly and they said our room was already ready! We got a KidKamp Suite which meant a queen size bed for mommy and daddy along with a tent-themed sleeping area including bunk beds for the boys! They loved the waterpark the most but a close second was being able to sleep in bunk beds and have their own TV in their area! After exploring the room, the boys were ready to see the waterpark! We quickly changed into our bathing suits and spent the next 4-5 hours tubing down waterslides, jumping and swimming through waves in their wave pool and exploring the other water features (including a giant bucket that would fill up and pour on your heads) that were all indoors... which meant even though it was rainy and 50 degrees outside, we were comfortable swimming in the 80 degree temperatures inside!
We grabbed a pizza for dinner and ate it poolside while also seeing how different the waterslides were after dark when the tubes go out past the building space and back into the enclosed property! We grabbed a sweet treat before bed (ice cream and cookies)! We were going to explore some more but Maddox's tummy was a little upset from all the water attractions (a.k.a. drinking too much pool/saltwater). We watched a little TV before bed! Maddox was ready to go the next morning, eating some leftover pizza, hot chocolate (that I had packed from home) and his uneaten cookie from the night before.... a breakfast of champions! I had packed some breakfast items that we all had and Zack even took advantage of the Dunkin Donuts on the property to get an iced coffee to start his day! We checked out of our room by 10:00 and then went back to the waterpark for a few more hours before heading home. We rented a locker for the day so we could easily change into comfy, warm clothes for the drive back! I cannot express how much fun we had!! It was the best way to start 2021 with our family of four! Great Wolf Lodge was the perfect place for the ages and abilities of our kids!! I am so thankful we had the opportunity to do this before we get back into the daily/weekly routines with work and school! I know we hope to be back for a visit in the future!
In other news since my New Year's Day post, I did have my annual pork and sauerkraut (thanks to Grammy), so here's to good health and good luck in 2021!
Our pup continues to be sick over the break so he has enjoyed extra cuddles with each member of our family while we have been home. Grammy stayed with him while we were gone overnight and took such good care of him. We are thankful for all these extra moments together to relax and slow down our typical busy pace!
Zander made it a goal to start and finish a chapter book that he was given by one of his best buds, Christian, while we were home over Christmas Break. It had approximately 180 pages and I feel it is at about a 3rd grade reading level. He read a chapter or two (and 5 the last day) and finished this book by New Year's Day.... giving him almost a week of extra time that he didn't need to finish the book! Zack went ahead and bought him the second book in the series (which he is about 50 pages into already). He also surprised Maddox with his very own copy of the first book. Maddox has been so excited to be like his big brother! We read a page or two together each day so he can feel as big as his brother.;) Maddox requested I take the picture of him with his book (see below). ;)
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