What a week we had! We decided to do Spring Break last week and had something planned for nearly every day. Here is how the week unfolded:
Saturday: I cut down three trees and tilled a new garden for the girls. Livvi and Heather went to see the Hannah Montana movieSunday: After church and a Mexican Fiesta, we went to Kings Island for my company's Associate Appreciation Day. Got quite wet, but had fun!
Monday: Livvi got her "black" belt, then went to her American Heritage Girls meeting
Tuesday: We visited the Creation Museum and Livvi had swim lessons that evening
Wednesday: We went to the Cincinnati Zoo. Great weather!
Thursday: We went to Great Wolf Lodge to swim and spend the night. My lifeguard training (now expired by almost 25 years) was seemingly needed within the first hour of us being there. More on that later.
Friday: Livvi and I swam some more while Heather took Joie to an area to do crafts, etc. We then left for home shortly after lunch
Saturday: We celebrated Livvi's black belt at Panera Bread. I cut down three more trees while the girls planted flowers in their new garden.
As for the lifeguard incident, Liv and I were in the wave pool and I was wading in. I had lost sight of her for just a few seconds, when I saw the lifeguard point in the direction of the opposite corner of the pool in the deeper section by the wave machine. She then jumped in. I tried to locate Livvi and did so immediately. I couldn't see what the lifeguard saw, yet, but I started running towards that corner, then swimming when the water was too deep to run in. I stopped to take a look at what was in the corner and saw what I thought was a toddler face down in the pool. My heart was racing beyond belief, now. I kept swimming until I saw a Great Wolf Lodge associate standing on the side of the pool over where the "child" was. He was telling me to hold up. The lifeguard was about there when I stood up and noticed the "child" was a dummy, possibly used for training. I'm not sure if this was some training session or if they were just messing with the lifeguard on duty. Nevertheless, it freaked me out. For the record, though, I'd like to think I would have been able to save that kid!
We had a great time as a family! I hope we get to do a lot of stuff together for many, many years to come! I included a few photos below, but if you want to see the nearly 200 pictures from our fun month of April, click here.
Wednesday, we visited the world-famous Cincinnati Zoo. We absolutely love the zoo. On more than one occasion that day, Livvi said "it stinks" in reference to the smell. I told her it was the ZOO! It is supposed to stink!
The weather was absolutely beautiful for "Earth Day". It is the best the weather's been all week. We saw the beautiful tulips throughout the zoo, the gorillas, tigers and other cats, insects, reptiles, elephants, giraffes, a condor, a rhinoceros, flamingos, monkeys, wolves, etc. There were things for the kids to do as well. If you haven't been to the Zoo in a while, you need to go again. They are always improving it and making it nicer! However, after years of going and figuring out how to get around without a map, they are moving the entrance to the other side of the park on Vine Street and changing some of the paths. I may need a map for next year!
There has been much hoopla and controversy over the last few years surrounding The Creation Museum. We finally had the opportunity to visit on Tuesday morning. I can see why there was so much controversy. It is a Biblically-based ministry telling the truth about how we all got here and that we need a Savior. Satan will do whatever he can to suppress the spread of the Word of God.
We were really impressed with what we saw. We've heard all our lives God created everything and believe it wholeheartedly. It was truly incredible to hear it again with scientific evidence to support it and fantastic displays and video presentations. The only "show" I saw was in the planetarium. It put into perspective for me how insignificant we really seem to be when it comes to the entire universe! When you feel that insignificance, then realize God sent his Son to earth to die for you and rose again to prepare a SIGNIFICANT place in Heaven for the supposed insignificant ones. So much for insignificant! Thank you, Jesus!
Our visit was cut short as sleet and rain were falling from the sky freezing us as we headed to the petting zoo and garden outside the museum that afternoon. That, and the kids (Joie and her cousin Gigi) could have used a nap. We made a mad dash for the car to escape the elements and head home. We highly recommend a visit to the Museum and plan to go back again. You can't see it all in one day (unless you don't have small children with you).
Late this afternoon, Olivia achieved something of which we are pretty proud! She obtained the highest belt in her Tae Kwon Do Little Dragons program. She got their black belt (actually, it is purple, white, and green). She has come a long way from when she first started more than two years ago. You can see the brief ceremony here. You can also see her practicing some new moves here. Check back later for more pictures! Congratulations! One Two, You Rock! We love you!
Our iMPACT Youth Group hosted a fundraiser at Scallywag Tag on Sunday night. Livvi and I played Laser Tag for the first time. Man, is that FUN! Livvi had a blast as well! She had so much fun, she hinted she might like to do that for her birthday. Livvi stayed put the first game, but thereafter, she was running around with me shooting everything in site! We really had a blast and were disappointed it was over so "soon" (2 hours). While I did a lot of shooting, I got hit quite a bit, too! I got a whole new appreciation for our troops who are probably wishing all they had to do was shoot lasers at fancy vests!
I gained a LOT of respect for Heather after childbirth (our kids, not mine). However, after Monday, I now have a whole new respect for her!Monday morning, I'm nearly completely dressed for work, when Heather said she didn't feel well AT ALL. She could barely get out of bed. Realizing there was no way she would be able to take care of two kids in that condition, I decided to stay at home so she could rest. Little did I know what I was signing up to do.
Joie woke up entirely too early. She was cranky and not feeling well herself. She kept screaming, and it just made me madder and madder. After all, I was there to help Heather rest and Livvi was still sleeping. When Livvi awoke, we had breakfast, then got dressed. By this time, it was about 9:00 a.m. and Joie was looking pretty tired. I offered to get them a hot chocolate from Starbucks and chose one that was about 20 minutes away, to see if she would fall asleep. She finally fell asleep about 10:30 p.m. on the way home, about one minute from our house. I dropped Livvi off at home and made sure Jo was asleep before taking her up to her room.
Liv and I then started her school work. We only got through 2.5 subjects in about 3-4 hours! Between her being a little lethargic from having been sick herself, easily distracted, and me not completely knowing what to do, it made for a not-so-productive school day. All this despite the fact Jo slept between 3 and 4 hours (thank you, Lord)!
The girls and I then left for Tae Kwon Do, grabbed dinner on the way home, and wolfed it down. I then had to take Liv to American Heritage Girls. While she was there, I went grocery shopping, then back to pick Liv up to head back home.
This is a typical Monday for Heather and the girls, except that Jo usually only naps for 2 hours (if at all) and they get about twice as much school work in (or more). Not to mention there may be a load or two of laundry done as well. I don't know how she does it, but she does (and does it well)!
Quoting Joie
Yesterday, Joie was watching Diego and they were talking about how Baby Jaguar eats meat. Joie's response? "Hungry...meat!"
Later that day, Heather was showing Livvi and Joie a video to the music "Thy Word" by Amy Grant. There is a spot in the video that shows a majestic Jesus on the throne in heaven, with his arms out a little to each side. Joie sees this and the following conversation takes place:
Jo (with eyebrows crossed): Mad
Heather: Mad? Jesus isn't mad. Jesus loves you! He wants to hug you!
Jo gets a cute sheepish smile on her face and crosses her arms like she's hugging herself.
Jo: Tickle Jesus!
Heather: You want to tickle Jesus?!
Jo: Yes! Tickle, tickle, tickle! (visualize hands in close to her check with her fingers wiggling in a tickle motion)
Precious!
