Great Wolf Lodge

In February, we took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge to spend a couple days swimming, relaxing and having fun. It was awesome. The kids loved it, and I loved it too. I also realized it was the first time we have done a vacation with just us and our kids - no other family or friends.

We wanted to surprise the kids (and not have them ask every hour when we were leaving) so we didn't tell the kids we were going anywhere. I was able to pack all our stuff up without the boys realizing what I was doing. They were a bit confused when Mike came home from work early and we went to pick Clara up at school. When everyone was in the car and we were on the expressway, I gave each of the kids a bag with a new bathing suit and new sandals. Then we had them guess where we were going. They didn't guess the right destination, although Clara did guess Disney World and Mexico. They were very excited - which lasted right up to bedtime in their kid cabin; they couldn't go to sleep.

The next morning they were up at 6:30, ready to swim. Too bad they had to wait for the swim area to open at 9:00. We were down there at 9:03 and running under the water buckets. The best part was by far the water slides. I loved them, maybe even more than the kids loved them. (I also love roller coasters, swings, fast boat rides, airplanes, and would love to skydive.) Ian liked swimming and really wants to take more swimming lessons. John loved the hot tub area, the giant bucket of water and everything else.

Clara was my water slide buddy.John did not want to go home.

We had a great weekend, and I am ready for a repeat trip next year.