Start of Fall Fun

Last fall we went to Idlewild, we had such a great time we went again this year.  We went a little later than last year because the weather didn't cooperate.  However the Sunday we went the weather was perfect.  It was not that crowded either. We started off at the roller coaster.  Surprisingly, Sydney rode it.  She would cry a bit in the beginning but then she would want to ride it again.  She rode it 4-5 times.  Austin absolutely loved it.  He was concerned that there were no seat belts.  Just a handlebar to hold on too.

Then we went to Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.  Austin and Sydney both like Daniel Tiger.  I like him too.  It's a nice show for kids to watch.  We rode on his trolley which is new this year.  It was the longest wait for about 15 minutes.  Brian and I were not sure if it was going to be worth it, but it was! The kids used their imaginations and Daniel Tiger came aboard the trolley.  Then we made stops at all his friends and family to invite them to the party.  It was cool.

Next the kids road several kiddie rides.  They have lots of them and it's great for 3 and 4 year olds.  After riding rides, it was about time for Daniel Tiger to arrive for pictures.  We went there and luckily I got in line quickly so the kids could see him.

We went and had lunch that I packed from home.  We have learned that food in amusement parks are expensive so whenever possible I try and pack food.  We had lunch.  After lunch, we went though story book forest.  Brian got some neat pictures there as the kids ran though the forest.  We had to keep telling them to come back and not run ahead too far.  They were on a mission to run the entire path quickly.

The kids then played in the ball pit and rope course.  I was impressed because Austin and Sydney could climb the high rope course themselves.  I couldn't believe it.  We rode on a pull boat ride too.  Austin insisted that he pull the boat himself.  He basically did too.  He's strong.

We finished the evening riding some bigger kids rides like the Ferris wheel, air hot balloons, and scrambler.  Sydney loved the scrambler.  It went really fast and she liked it.  We were hoping to end the night with kiddie rides but they closed early.  The kids were sad about that but he did a few more bigger kid rides and then the park closed.  We stopped at Wendy's for dinner and drove home.  The kids fell asleep.

This fall the kids are playing soccer for one of my mommy groups.  Austin is very excited about playing soccer.  Unlike before, they are playing games instead of just doing drills.  Every Saturday morning, he eats breakfast and then gets his soccer things on.  He likes his cleats and shin guards.  He is good at soccer too.  Last week he even scored a goal!  Soccer is fun to watch.  Sydney enjoys playing too.  She is not a sure about what to do though.  Last week, Brian was her coach for the week, and she scored a goal too!

Austin and Sydney are back in swim class after taking the summer off.  Austin is in preschool 3 and Sydney is in preschool 2.  They both swim about at the same level though if you ask me.  They got a lot of practice swimming this summer at Wildwater.  Sydney enjoys swimming with her face in the water.  She is like a little fish.  Austin is getting more confident with swimming too.

We also went to Patterson's fall festival last week. They have so much for the little kids to do.  Austin and Sydney spent the entire afternoon playing on slides, corn mazes, riding cars, corn pit, and eating small apples.  I think Sydney ate 3-4 of them herself.  We stopped for lunch and then went apple picking.  The kids love to pick the apples.  We let the kids decide if they should go home or play more and they wanted to play more.  Brian and I separated for a bit because the kids wanted to do different things.  While we were separated, Austin met a friend.  It was a girl that was about 8 years old and given freedom from her parents.  They played for about a half hour while Brian just followed them around from a bit of a distance.  It made us a little sad because before we know it, the kids will be off with their friends and not with us.  We like playing with them!  I guess we should enjoy it while we can.

Labor Day weekend

We have been going down to my parents every Sunday for breakfast.  Brian stays home to catch up on things (recently to work on the tankless water heater project).  I take the kids.  The kids love it.  Austin helps cook the pancakes and he is starting to learn how to flip them too.  Sydney gets her nails painted by Meemaw.  She loves that.  My mom gets them tons of crafts to do each week.  They really have a good time!  They also feed the birds.  Austin goes with Papa and Sydney with Meemaw.  They have fun.  With fall coming, the kids are going to start Sunday school so breakfast is going to be different days depending on the week but the day doesn't really matter.  It's just the quality time they get to spend together.

Labor day weekend is always very busy for us!  We love that weekend.  It's sad because it means that summer is ending though.  This year is sad because in a year from now, Austin will be in school.  That is so hard for me to believe!  Time really goes by so much faster with kids.  I can't believe it!

On Saturday we went to the airshow.  Brian loves the airshow!  Austin has really started to love it too!  It was a great weather weekend but it was HOT!  Temperatures were in the 90's.  There was a chance of rain Saturday but it was the cloudiest day (less sunburn potential) and coolest with a high of 90 so we went then.  It was great because it wasn't as crowded as last year when we went later in the weekend.  The kids got to go in several planes and helicopters. We watched the show especially the Blue Angels. Austin won a free hockey shirt from the Monsters and he was so proud of that.  It's currently his favorite shirt.  He reminds me that it needs washed as soon as he wears it.  We all had a great time at the airshow.

Since it was so hot, we decided to go straight to Wildwater after the airshow.  The kids were tired and took a nap while we drove there. Once we got to wildwater though they were wide awake.  They love that place.  We love it too!  We played until they closed at 7pm.  We often cramp multiple activities into the same day.  Our family is always busy having fun.

We ran to McDonald's for dinner and then Brian had a great idea to get Austin to see the sunset near a high elevation spot.  Austin has been wanting to do that for a while.  Austin was so excited that he got to do that.  Austin had Brian's camera and took lots of pictures of it.  Afterwards we even took them back to McDonald's for ice cream cones.  It was a great day!

On Sunday, we were at Wildwater when it opened with our friends.  It was their first time there.  It was great.  The kids had so much fun playing with each other.  Kaitlyn even got Sydney to go down the orange covered slide.  She loved it.  The kids played for hours there.

After nap time on Sunday, we went to the Taste of Hudson.  We have been going there since the kids were born.  It always a fun evening out.  The kids like doing the crafts and playing on the bouncy houses.  Last year, Sydney needed some help doing the bouncy houses but not this year.  She ran around like crazy playing on everything.  We had dinner there.  The kids had macaroni and cheese and Brian and I had pineapple rice. We stayed until they closed.  The kids were sad to leave.  Austin made us promise we will bring him back next year.

On Monday, it was a Wild Water day.  We were there when it opened.  We played for several hours.  We went home for nap and lunch. Then we came back and played until it closed.  Since it was a special day (the last day of the season where height restrictions are a bit more generous), Sydney got to ride on the big water-slides with us.  She loved it!  When they closed, Austin cried.  We were sad too.  We enjoy taking them there while they are young and enjoy playing with us.  We know before we know it, they will be there on their own.  That makes us sad.  We are enjoying them so much right now.  These are priceless memories.  We will definitely get passes again next year.  We look forward to it!

Labor Day weekend is always bittersweet.  We always have so much fun that weekend.  However that means summer is over.  Even so, we love fall and have tons of activities planned in the fall.  I love summer and it's sad when it's over!