Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, and Hershey

Our summer vacation this year we decided to go to Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, and Hershey.  Our first stop was Myrtle Beach.  We were planning on driving all day on Friday.  However my work scheduled changed and the kids didn’t have lacrosse so Thursday evening we decided drive all Thursday night.  We left our house around 8pm.  I drove until 10pm.  Then Brian drove until 2am.  While driving he listened to the NBA Finals game.  The Raptors won and Brian was very excited.  He definitely didn’t want Golden State to win.  Then I drove from 2am to 630am.  It was a very long drive.  However it was nice to be there in the morning. 

Once we arrived, I took a short nap.   The kids went to the store with Grandpa and went swimming.  Then Melissa and I took the kids to the park, McDonalds, and candy store.  Once we got back, the kids went swimming again and we hung out at that Nana and Grandpa’s house. 

On Saturday, we went to the water-park.  Austin and Sydney loved the big slide.  We were at the water-park for most of the day.  Austin and Sydney love water-parks and slides.  Then we went to LuLu's for dinner.  While we waited for our food, the kids played in the sand.  They didn't get as wet and messy as last year.  Then Austin and Sydney did the rope course.  It was so much fun for them.  At the end of it, they both even jumped off they they were supposed to.  They really have no fear!  

On Sunday, we went to the beach.  They kids played in the water and sand.  It was fun.  Then they went back to Nana's to swim.  They love their pool.  

On Monday, we went to Broadway at the Beach.  We started at the Wonder Works House.  We were in there for several hours.  Then we let the kids ride amusement park rides.  It was a super fun day for them.  We had a nice lunch on the water.  The kids got slushies and ice cream.  Everyone had a great time in Myrtle Beach.  

On Tuesday, we drove up to Virginia Beach and got a hotel on the beach.  We love Virginia Beach.  We can just park the car for the time there and walk everywhere.  While in Virginia Beach, we enjoyed ice cream ( a lot of ice cream).  Sweet Frogs is the kids favorite.  We loved the street performers in the evenings.  We rented a four person bike and biked the boardwalk.  Austin and Sydney tried out the hamster balls in water.  And they loved playing in the ocean with their boggie boards.  It was a fun two days in Virginia Beach.  

On Thursday, we drove up to Hershey Park.  We went to the park that evening and rode some roller coasters.  The whole family loves Lighting and Thunder.  I am not as into roller coasters but it's fun with all of us racing in the roller coasters.  We rode Comet and Super Dooper Looper.  Another favorite is Lafty Tafty.  

On Friday and Saturday, we spend both days (all day) in the park.  We did some of the water-park too.  The only bummer was the Hershey Towers were down for maintenance.  Sydney finally had enough courage to do it and they were closed.  She was really sad.  On Saturday, it was so crowded.  Brian and I handle crowds pretty well but it was ridiculous.  We even left a bit earlier than normal just because we could not take it.  

Over all, it was a great vacation.  It was a lot of driving but we got to do a lot of fun things.  And mostly importantly we got to hang out as a family! 

End of School, Beginning of Summer

The one thing I have learned with the school age years, is the enjoyment of summer.  I love summer more now than ever.  In the summer, we have relaxed bedtimes.  We have outside movie nights.  We do a lot of swimming.  We hang out with friends.  We go to the drive ins.  We do the summer reading program at the library.  We like to sleep in (except for Austin).  We enjoy going on vacations.  We enjoy Cedar Point.   We like to camp.  We enjoy just hanging out as a family and chillin.   Luckily I don't work every day so I am able to take the kids many places and let them do some fun things.

Sydney and her friend did a half week of basketball camp as soon as summer ended.  Sydney got to hang out with her friend a lot that week.  Brian and I got to send some quality time with Austin.  We even went out to dinner with just him.  We had a great time.

We went on our first camping trip of the season in early June.  We had a great time except for we found out the pool was closed due to construction when we arrived.  They have a lake but we don't like swimming in a lake.  We like pools.  But since the weather was nice, we did got out into the lake to play on the floats.  The kids also rented pedal bikes and played bingo.  We played some basketball and played on the playground.  Austin and Sydney love camping.  Brian and I enjoy it too.