Hershey

This year we decided to get season passes to Hershey Park instead of Sesame Place.  We loved Sesame Place for years but we feel the kids have outgrown it.  Especially for as far as it is for us.  Last year, we had a great time in Hershey and we wanted to go back for several days.  Melissa and the boys met us in Hershey on Saturday evening.  Our plan was to go to the park, however it was raining heavy so we decided not to do that.  We went to Target and then to Friendly’s for dinner.  Jonathan was supposed to fly to meet us however his flight was cancelled. 

On Sunday, we went to Hershey Park.  We rode the Super Dooper Looper which is an upside down ride that all kids can ride.  They love it.  Then Austin went to the Hershey tower.  He rode the Kisses one first then the Reeses one.  He loved it.  I am not into rides but I did ride the Kisses Tower with him.  The little kids rode kiddie rides.  We got a meal plan with a drink package.  Austin and Sydney enjoy picking the drink.  Then Jonathan arrived from the airport. 

We then rode the Comet roller coaster.  That is a wooden one.  It was fun.  I thought it was a bit intense however Austin quickly reminded me that Millennium Force is intense and Comet is not.  Then it was back to Super Dooper Looper and Hershey Towers.  Austin even rode the big Hershey Tower with Auntie Melissa.  He loved it!  They even did it again. 

It rained for a little bit.  We used that time to eat lunch.  Then after lunch the kids played in puddles.  We tried to explain to keep their feet dry but they did not listen.  Graham even sat in the puddles.  We rode the water ride since everyone was already wet. 

We rode some cars.  We also enjoyed Trail Blazer roller coaster.  However Sydney cut her finger on it.  She needed a band aide which fixes everything.  We were making our way towards the back of the park when we realized it was going to rain again.  We did not notice with too much warning.  Then it started to pour down rain.  We took shelter under a table umbrella until it slow down a bit.  Then we decided to leave the park for the night.  It was after 9pm anyways. 

By the time we got to the car, we were very wet.  However all and all we had a great day at Hershey. 

On Monday morning, we went to the park around 10am to find out the park was closed due to flooding.  We were shocked.  We did not realize the park would be closed.  It was a bummer because it was not raining either.  We had several hours of no rain.  We were hoping to take advantage of it.  We went to the gift shop since we were there however so many other people did too! 

We didn’t know what to do, however Brian thought it would be cool to do the Caverns near by.  We went there and brought tickets.  While waiting for our tour, the kids did a sample of mining for rocks.  Then we went on our tour.  It was interesting and Austin and Sydney enjoyed it.  Cam and Gram were a bit young for it and wanted held a lot.   They left the tour a bit early.  Austin and Sydney were cold during it but will likely remember it. 

Then we went to Chick Fil A for lunch so the kids could play.  It was sometime for them to do.  Then we came back to our hotel and went swimming.  Afterwards we went to Chuck E Cheese.  It was a surprise for them.  Austin and Sydney loved it.  Especially because Auntie Melissa got each of them 2 hours unlimited card.  They had a lot of fun.  Even the adults played some games since it was an unlimited card.  It was a great night.  We made the best out of the situation of the park being closed. 

We decided that we are going home early.  With all the rain, it makes it challenging for doing the park and we didn’t know if the park was going to be open.  Melissa and Jonathan decided that were going to check out Washington DC early too.  We went to Hershey Chocolate Factory in the morning.  Then Melissa and family left to go to DC.  

We decided since we have passes to go into the park for about an hour.  It was raining but the kids did not mind.  Brian and I tried to stay dry with umbrellas. Austin and Sydney rode the little carousel that Sydney really wanted to ride.  Then they did the scrambler.  Austin rode the big pirate ship.  Then we walked for Austin to ride a roller coaster with Brian.  It was raining so they got wet.  They enjoyed being in the front car in the rain.  Sydney wanted to ride the water ride.  However Brian and I did not want to ride it.  Austin said he would ride it with her.  They loved it and got soaked.  Luckily I had a change of clothes for them in the car. 

Austin convinced us to allow him to play a game for a stuffed animal.  He won a stuffed Hershey bar and then played again to win Sydney a stuffed Hershey Kiss.  They had fun and were happy with their stuffed animals. 

We left and park and kids got changed.  We stopped at McDonalds for lunch and then drove home.  It was only about a 5 hour drive however it seemed much longer.  When we got home, Brian took the kids to the drive in.  I was happy to stay home and grocery shop.  I needed to unpack and clean up the house.  The kids enjoyed the drive in.  They even got concessions because we didn’t have time to go to the store before the drive in.

Sydney lost first tooth and July Summer Fun

Sydney had a loose tooth and she was so excited.  Austin has lost 6 teeth and Sydney none but finally she knew it was her turn.  She had a loose bottom tooth for a few days before it finally fell out.  The interesting thing is when it fell out she did not notice.  She was going to bed and then she realized her tooth was gone.  Unfortunately we never found it.  Brian even took the drain apart hoping to find it from her brushing her teeth but it was never found.  However the tooth fairy still came that night and gave her $5.  She was so excited!

The kids went to Cavs basketball camp the first week in July.  Austin loved it!  Sydney enjoyed it too.  I was proud of her because she went without knowing anyone.  She even met a new friend for the week.  However the timing of the basketball camp was not good.  Lebron announced the night before basketball camp that he was joining the Lakers.  Austin was devastated.  He cried for an hour.  That made us sad too.  Sydney was also a bit sad but not as much as Austin. She didn't enjoy the games like he did.  Austin loved the playoffs.  He loved to scream and be into it.  He liked fan fest downtown.  Brian and Austin really enjoyed it.  They know how lucky they were to experience it for all the years but they are going to miss it terribly!

We also took the kids to see fireworks with some friends.  They enjoyed watching them.  They got a balloon animal as well.  Sydney got a unicorn and Austin got an emoji person.  Those are their favorite things right now.  They played in the bounce houses for a bit too.

We went to the 4th of July parade.  It was very hot this year!  We found a small piece of shade.  It was a good thing.  The kids sat up by the street under an umbrella.  They got so much candy.  It was ridiculous how much candy they got.  We always have a good time there though!

Austin and Sydney started doing the Home Depot kids workshops again.  Austin requested we start doing it again and I looked it up for them.  And we went that Saturday.  Austin really enjoys it.  Sydney has also gotten good at using a hammer.  They enjoy projects like that.

We also went camping at their favorite campsite Yogi Bear.  They have a great pool with a slide and diving board.  Brian taught the kids how to dive.  They had a gaga pit that Austin played with the older kids.  He used to be shy but now he's fine just going to play with other kids.  It kind of makes Brian and I sad how he doesn't need us as much anymore.  However it's great seeing him interacting and playing with other kids.  They had crafts that Austin and Sydney enjoyed.  Sydney also liked the movie in the barn (even though it was so hot).  We had a great weekend camping there.

Sydney also learned to ride her bike.  She was not as interested in riding her bike much.  I really wanted her to learn to ride 2 wheel bike.  I would tell her this summer she was going to learn.  Austin and Sydney decided together that he would teach her.  She didn't want Brian or I to do.  Austin did amazing with her and taught her how to ride a bike.  They spend an evening in the driveway and she learned.  It took a little bit but she finally got it.  We were all proud of her and Austin too for teaching her.