Thursday

How did you spend your Thursday? Our family went to a place that is exciting, interactive, and has something for all. So we spent 12 hours in this inviting place and could have stayed longer, but they closed and kicked us out.
Look at this breathtaking waterfall. (I am going to nickname Brooke, my poser. I had no idea she was making all these poses for the pictures.)












KNOTT'S Berry Farm was our amusement park of choice for the day. The highlight of the day for me was watching an Extreme Wheels show with Brooke. It was a high action outdoor show with people on bikes, roller blades, skateboards, and just great acrobatics. This is a must see in my opinion!

Brooke rode this jumpy ride at least 20 times throughout the day, sometimes many times in a row. She made friends when the siblings weren't around.

It was even her last ride of the night. She was such a trooper when she was too small to go on rides, she would wait at the exit.

THE PONY EXPRESS doesn't bring mail. It is a fairly new ride that puts you on a horse. It goes fast and puts you in a motorcycle (bullet bike) position. I thought it was a unique design. My goal was for Sage to get on a larger roller coaster - she rode the pony several times and couldn't believe she hadn't done it sooner. Libby, on the other hand, went on everything she was big enough for!

The kids also enjoyed going on rides in Camp Snoopy with their cousin, Gavin. These cars whip you around. Uncle Philip some how managed to get his legs inside this car to ride with Gavin.

We loved the skateboard ride

Lucy was playing a game called, "Lucy says" (similar to Simon Says). Brooke really got into the show when they started performing the chicken dance. Brooke in the pig tails, Libby in the teal shirt.

Brooke even stopped to give Snoopy a high five.

This is a shot of Gavin in his RR hat doing a dance at the show.

One of the 4 train rides we rode with Gavin. I have never been on any of the trains (gasp).

We just couldn't pass these photo opps up. I missed why this was at Knott's.

Perry and Lee managed to go on many of the larger, faster rides (Silver Bullet - 3x during the day). We ended the night on the Big Foot Rapids. I figured if we get wet, it is already time to go home. Who do you think was wet after the ride. Yes, that would be me! Nobody was really riding at 9:30 at night, so after I got off, Lee went on with the kids (yes, they just let them keep riding). Sage kept saying she wasn't wet enough. The fun you can have in a boat!

We also took in a stunt show. The kids thought it was very entertaining and Sage moved into the Splash zone (she must be ready for Sea World again).

Small Wonders

The way to have fun with small children is to turn the "WATER" on. Gavin, Libby, and Perry enjoyed the swimming pool. Gavin took quite some time to enter the water and then he was kicking and laughing (Libby helped encourage him).

Right in the middle of this sunny morning came a down pour of rain...big drops and then it all went away.

Maybe he will be a future firefighter, look at him go with that hose!

Teaching moments with Gavin

Brooke is 2 1/2 years older than her cousin Gavin, a perfect age difference for learning to take place. It was so cute to watch them both be into this learning session. Gavin is actually a little smarter than Brooke lets him be. She is learning to let him answer the question before she tells him the answer.

Brooke figured out that she could place the fish crackers inside the book. She now recognizes the numbers 1 - 10, so we passed this book down to Gavin.

Sail away, sail away...

but please come right back. We went to the beach today to do a little sailing with Lee. He is on spring break and the day was gorgeous...what better way to spend a day in Long Beach, but out on the water. Aunt Jenny and cousin Gavin came along for a ride with us (Brooke and Staci).

Gavin wandered down the beach to another group of people, probably to use their toys and Brooke was more than willing to go get him. Funny thing happened, she actually joined him (yup, sat right down in the sand). Maybe she was building a relationship of trust before she asked to come back???

"Come on Gavin, over here"

So here is the skipper of the minnow that was to take us out in the bay. (I had to give a second take when I realized he was wearing my sunglasses and my hat. Now, I don't know about you, but I thought women could borrow their husband's belongings, but not the other way around. Oh well, now you know what a sensitive guy Lee really is.)

Here is Brooke with those cool transition glasses on that work perfect at the beach. She was all good with the ride, especially the part about not getting her feet wet. Lee brought the boat up on the sand.

The happy sailors: Aunt Jenny and Gavin. "Can you say, food?" Well Gavin knows all about it. He is a muncher just like me!

SLee (meaning Staci and Lee)

Lee decided to be more adventurous after leaving us back on the sand. The boat is a lot of work for Lee, but he really enjoys his time on it and sharing the experience with others. Some people spend all day golfing, others spend all day sailing...