The McKiddos Had a Farm

I love when the kids sit down and do something together that doesn't involve any form of technology.  They asked to play with play dough.  I don't like the smell, but it has always been a kid activity staple in our house.  I also like that even though Rachel is getting older, she stills likes it.

Here is what they created.



A barnyard

A cow



A pig



A snake



Corn



A bird in a nest

Riding Solo

We bought season passes for Six Flags last fall. Six Flags was running a special offer. We were able to purchase a season pass for the price of a regular one day admission and if four or more passes were purchased a free parking pass was given. Score!

I love season passes because I feel like we can visit the attraction, be it Six Flags, the zoo, etc., and hit our favorite parts without killing ourselves trying to see everything in one day.

This summer has been pretty hot so far. I had been wating for a day where the high was going to be below 90 and we found one. PK had to work so I took the kids for the day.

I was a bit worried about letting Hannah ride some of the "bigger" rides without PK, but once we were there, I felt pretty comfortable letting the kids ride the rides alone. Alone being without a parent. All three of them road all the rides together with the exception of one.

We started with the train that makes a loop around the park. Let me tell you, Rachel was thrilled (sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm). I happen to like the train because I prefer rides that don't make me want to throw up!! I don't really like roller coasters, any rides that spin (I can barely handle the carousel) or go extremly fast. However, I do like things that entertain the kids and I do like to people watch. Amusement parks are a great place for both!

One of our favorite rides is the Monster Mansion. It is a leisurely boat ride through a tunnel of whymiscal monsters. Of course, this is the only ride Rachel likes to ride more than the train (more sarcasm). While we were waiting in line, she asked, "Are we only going to ride slow rides today?" about a thousand times. Sometimes I said, "Yes" and sometimes I said, "No. But we are going to ride rides that everyone enjoys." and sometimes I asked, "Are you having fun?" to which she would reply with the obligatory precious eye roll and, "Yes."

At the beginning of the ride a picture is taken of each boat with the guests making their scariest monster faces. Rachel decided we should practice our faces.


Rachel


Aaron

Hannah

We eventually worked our way around to one of Rachel's favorite rides, The Wheelie. It starts out flat and gradually raises up until it looks like a Ferris Wheel except it goes really fast!! This is the only ride that Rachel road solo.

I could see her face as her car zoomed across the bottom and I could see her smiling. It made me happy that she was having such a good time.

One of our other favorite things is the Bad Bob show. It is a comedy about a sheriff, his deputy and the bad guy, Bad Bob. After the show I had the kids stand in front of the set for a picture. If you think Hannah looks a little afraid, it is because she was. I guess she tought Bad Bob would really get her.

The swings have always been a favorite. This was the first time Hannah was tall enough to ride. She was soooo excited!

Aaron is in the front and Rachel is the orange streak behind him. Hannah is kind of in the middle in the pink tank top. The other people are just blog extras. Ha, ha!

The final ride was the Mind Bender. I didn't actually take this picture. I downloaded it off the web. This roller coaster has one loop that goes upside down. It was the first time Aaron went on a roller coaster that goes upside down. The line was short and as soon as they came off they all begged to go again. They went one more time and then I told them it was time to head out.

I had checked the forecast before leaving home and it said no rain until tomorrow. As we were walking toward the exit, I noticed the sky was growing quite dark. We managed to get to the car and on the highway just before it started storming!! I made the comment that I was glad we left when we did and weren't stuck walking to the car in the storm. Rachel said, "I guess it was God telling you it was time to go. He protects us that way." She was so serious and matter of fact. That was my favorite part of the entire day!!

Back to the Beach

Thanks to all of you who expressed your concern regarding my last post. Rest assured, I am fine.

The kids and I spent some more time at the beach yesterday. I laughed out loud watching them play in the waves. Thanks to over a year of swimming lessons, not one of them cried or ran for a towel when they got knocked down.


Rachel played so nicely with Hannah. She was even giving her piggyback rides.

I know their eyes are closed in this picture, but check out those smiles. They were all just sitting on the edge of the water and I asked them to flip over on their bellies for a picture. Then the waves started coming up from behind. My camera has such a delay that I was never able to get a great shot, but they thought it was fun. We will have to try this again when P.K. is home with his camera.

I am always amazed by how much time they will spend digging.

Frog vs Toad

We headed outside one night and my niece found a tiny little frog or toad hopping near a bush. The kids started finding more and more. We grabbed Hannah's bug catcher so we could observe them more closely before setting them free. I have searched several websites trying to identify our particular catch, but have not had much success. However, I think they are toads. According to my research, toads are not as slimy as frogs and their skin is more bumpy. I have found more criteria on which I can base my decision, but I will have to wait until we catch some more so I can observe in more detail. I am open to opinions (all three of the opinions from my vast readership). When we let them go, we counted forty-two. The kids have been talking about looking for more frogs. They have even spread the word and invited friends to come hunting with them. I know I've mentioned it before, but I love when they are so taken with God's creation.

The little spot by Hannah's hand is one of the toads.

*** No toads were harmed in the process of capture or release.***

The Drive-In

When we lived in California, one of our favorite family activities was to go to the drive-in. We didn't have one nearby in Illinois. I was thrilled to find we have one not to far from our current home. Since it opened for the season a few weeks ago, I've been waiting for a kid friendly flick. It is also one of the things on my list of things to do with Hailey while she is visiting. Last night we went to see Kung Fu Panda.