Well, we finally did it this year. We took the plunge. Ken and I determined that with cheap airfare and the last easy chance (before school) to get the girls away, we would take them with us to Virginia Beach for his softball tournament with the MN Lawmen. This went way better than I could have imagined for our fine fam. Of course, it was not without bumps, but it's us, so what could anyone expect. We've always made things a little harder than need be.
Jorey was with me on the plane. We had a lot of "uncertainty" as to what we should do for each 5 minute segment of time. Things we shouldn't do were: remain seated, keep our seatbelts on and quietly watch a movie. Instead, we were to go potty at least 3 times/flight --even if it was the 1 hour flight. Then, get up and move and shake a lot, get on my lap, get off, switch seats, look out the window, spill our juice one time, but keep a permagrin through most of it because you're on a plane for the first time.
Macy sat with Dad on the plane. She sat quietly and watched movies for the entire flight every time and was just happy to have some lifesaver gummies when there were some to share.
When we got to the ocean, they were both bouncing off the walls. Our room overlooked the beach and the boardwalk, so they got to get out on the balcony to see it.
Macy spent lots of time in the sand, but got really brave in the ocean. She was in big waves that would splash into her face and she would laugh that wonderful giggle of hers that makes me smile so much!
Jorey, on the other hand, has determined that the ocean is no place for a girl like her and she would much prefer to just sit on the beach and be dirty and dry. So, she did.
Though, later in the evening, she shared a tall tale about how brave she was in the ocean...sounded a lot like what Macy did...then, I called her on it and she smiled that big smile of hers and said, "OK, I didn't really do it!"
The 2nd day, we went to Busch Gardens - What fun! The girls had a blast on all the rides - Ken and I got to go on a couple of them - and we only thought we lost Macy once! (That scared the livin' daylights out of us. We were in this huge maze, climber, treetop thingy and I was helping Jorey get down and Ken was trying to navigate through the tiniest little openings. By the time he got to the bottom, Macy was so excited, she went to go again, but we couldn't see her. When we found her, it was trying times for a few minutes, but I think she's got it in her head that Mom and Dad need to know where you are, now. Poor thing. We probably looked so crazed when we finally found her that she DID want to run away.
Macy was so brave - she went on the big swings with Mom and Dad and giggled the whole time. Then, she went on the "Ruins of Pompei" - which was like the flume - creepy inside with lots of fire and scary stuff and then the big drop into water...she went with Ken and then told me, "Mom, you have to come on it! It's even better than the swings!" while she was skipping and just as giddy as can be. I'd like to bottle up that excitement!
At the end of the day, when the girls were probably a bit too tired for it, we hit the Sesame Street Water Park. It was so cute and cool, but we didn't stay too long. Jorey was trying to be brave and tackle the water spout, but it won - see the trauma
here. and the after effects
here.
Macy enjoyed her trip through the water park, too. She took a couple minutes pondering her level of "no-fear" and then just took off. Then, this poor little girl cruised right into her path, but seemed unphased by her wipe out.
Check it Out.
These sharks from a Mexican Restaurant we went to were a huge hit. They played with them the entire rest of the trip.
The girls were so great, we'd like to take another family trip...maybe in a few years ;)
I hope all the great fathers out there know how much they mean to all of their kids. It's a simple day that comes around once a year, but I know the little ladies in this house sure like having their dad around to play and wrestle, shoot baskets, and spray mom when they're in the pool...even if she's not a good sport.
We love the MN Zoo so much that we have a yearly pass. While Dad had a weekend off from ball, we took the ladies there. Unfortunately, our favorite Grizzley Bears were snoozing away, but we still had fun. The bird show outside is pretty cool...though, the girls kept asking, "When are we done?". ;) I guess I liked it more than they did. 
Nearly five years ago, we welcomed our first little lady to our family. Macy has already finished preschool! She'll be in Kindergarten before the year is through. I can't believe it. Here are a few snapshots of the adorable graduation ceremony they had at Leaps & Bounds. All the kids came in with their caps on, they got diplomas and gave each teacher a kiss. I was teary eyed through the whole thing. They had a poem that they read about how these kids will be in their hearts forever and all of the moms were a mess! I tried to keep it in check...I'm a contorted-faced cryer, so it's never something I want to do in front of anyone. ;)
Her teachers are so great. Macy loves them all and they let her be their helper all of the time. Whenever we go to conferences, they have the nicest things to say of Macy. It makes us so proud. 
Jorey was with me on the plane. We had a lot of "uncertainty" as to what we should do for each 5 minute segment of time. Things we shouldn't do were: remain seated, keep our seatbelts on and quietly watch a movie. Instead, we were to go potty at least 3 times/flight --even if it was the 1 hour flight. Then, get up and move and shake a lot, get on my lap, get off, switch seats, look out the window, spill our juice one time, but keep a permagrin through most of it because you're on a plane for the first time.
When we got to the ocean, they were both bouncing off the walls. Our room overlooked the beach and the boardwalk, so they got to get out on the balcony to see it. 
"Yo, Mauer. What up?" We're tight.
