Gameboy

Gameboy is a wonderful invention. The system is portable, games are fun and some are even educatioal. Reese still loves his gameboy - after ten years of gameboy ownership, he has never lost one.

Walker got his start on a Gameboy DS that I purchased at a garage sale for $10. For some reason, I upgraded him to a DS Lite with a flouresent green Nerf cover. No way could that bright green thing be lost, right? You guessed it. Lost.

I searched and searched and agonized over that lost gameboy. I was so sure it would "turn up", but it never did. I just could not get over it being lost. So around Christmas time, I found one on sale and bought it! I secretly had a "lost" gameboy. I even bought a new Nerf cover.

Then, it was Chanukah. Walker's gameboy has a broken hinge barely hanging on, but still working fine. With gift cards, I bought him a new DS Lite with the familiar green cover.

We all take our gameboys to Great Wolf Lodge. DH and I like to play solitaire on mine. In the car on the way, DS2 ran out of charge, so I let him use mine. Guess whose gameboy is now lost? Mine How stupid can I be. We asked lost and found, we called the restaurant we last remember having it - nothing. We checked out on Saturday morning.

The phone rang early this morning - The Great Wolf Lodge found mine - you better believe my name and telephone number is written all over that thing. It's a 45 minute drive out there - so we will drive out this morning.



Yes, DS will be on a much tighter leash with his. It may not be allowed t leave the house until he is more responsible.

The Great Wolf Lodge

Don suggested we spend our long weekend honoring Dr. Martin Luther King with a short family vacation. We decided on the Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor water park. We did not tell the kids until we picked them up from school and were on our way.

The Great Wolf Lodge is amazing – the perfect place for families and kids. The lobby area is fun to explore with so much to see. Once you arrive, no need to leave as they have everything you need – if only you have enough money. We saw lots of families, extended families and groups of kids happily enjoying the facilities.

Our room included a “tent” area with bunk beds and a darling wall mural which made it look like camping. We also had a regular bed, table and sofa – a nice size room. We took advantage of the fridge and microwave by bringing in some of our own food to make our own meals. We enjoyed not eating out every meal and not having to spend so much money.

In addition to the water park, the hotel has many restaurants and snack bars, an arcade, teen lounge, craft area, spa, storytelling and a game called MagiQuest. Of course, everything comes with a cost and the Great Wolf is a lean, mean, money-making machine! Charges could easily be made with a quick wave of a wrist band, which also served as my room key and water park entry.

Reese loved the MagiQuest game. An interactive scavenger hunt game played with a wand to activate clues. Very Harry Potter. Walker was a little too young to enjoy it. I wish there were other locations to play – he would so love playing more.

We all enjoyed the water park! Walker’s favorite was the wave pool with a beach entry and average depth of about 3 feet. I think Reese loved it all! As temperatures hovered in the 30s outside, we enjoyed the balmy 85 degrees in the pool area.

We spent three days and two nights, but one really would have been enough with two full days at the water park. We would definitely go back again!

I took a disposable camera to the water park, so hopefully, I’ll photos eventually. The pool area was too dark for no flash, so I don’t have high hopes for my film.

Suggestion - more thoughts

The more I think about Walker's suggestion, the more disturbed I am about it.

Don and I together have made the decision for me to not work outside of our home so that I can take care of the family. Being home is a huge luxury that we both appreciate every day. We KNOW how much more hectic our lives would be if we both worked 40+ hours per week plus a commute.

The kids are used to me being home taking care of the house, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and driving them where they want to go. I do not want either of my boys to think I am doing this out of survitude towards any of them.

Don and I must work hard to let them know how lucky we are to have me home and that they should not expect someone to take care of their every need at their whim. We must do a better job!

Suggestion?

We actually had "family dinner" tonight. Reese, Don and I eat together most every night. Walker rarely eats with us. Of course, I should force him to eat with us, but it usually does not happen. Often, Walk is ready to eat 4:30-5:30 pm so I make him dinner. He is such a picky eater, he rarely eats what we eat anyway.

We all enjoyed eating and talking together. At the end of dinner, Walker had an idea!

Install a counter separating the kitchen into two sections. One section is for me and the other for everyone else. They will each take a turn going to the counter and placing a food order. I should then prepare the food, place it on a tray and call their name "not too loud nor too soft"

I'll get right on that.

ROTC

Reese loves being a part of the JROTC organization.


Today was the selection for Cadette of the Month (COTM). Reese want and has wanted to win this award, which includes a ribbon for his uniform.

The first step was to wear his uniform to school. Sadly, he could not find his pants (located in the closet) nor his shoes (where he last took them off in the livingroom). Yes, I suggested he lay out his clothes the night before, which he chose to ignore.


In our city, high school is grades 9 and 10 with SENIOR high being grades 11 and 12. The ROTC program is based at the senior high. The COTM contest was held at the senior high, so after school, Reese took a bus from his high school to the senior high. The contest consisted of a test of each cadette's ROTC knowledge and I have no idea what else. He said he even studied for the knowledge test.


Reese was all smiles when I picked him up, holding a shiney new metal. He could not have been happier.

Winter Break Continues

Today is our last official day of winter break. We have the weekend and then it is back to school.

I have been busy with the boys: Reese, Walker and Bryce

Wednesday we saw the Chipmonk Movie

Thursday we spent the morning at Chuck E. Cheeses. I played solitaire on my new Gameboy

Today we went to our new rec center. We all swam for awhile, and then Walker, Bryce and I played a little basketball, walked around the track, had a snack and played in the gameroom.

Happy New Year!

A happy, healthy new year to all!!

On Monday Walker, Reese, Bryce and I met some friends bowling. I even bowled - it was fun and counts for exercise - right?

We arrived at the alley and were given our shoes. Two pairs - Walker's and one of the guys, were velcro close instead of a traditional tie shoe. Walker wanted nothing to do with his. We asked at the desk if we could trade for another pair or bowl in our socks, but sadly velcro shoes was our only choice.

Walker was forced to make a decision - bowl with velcro close shoes or not bowl at all. He decided to not bowl. He was content for awhile, but eventually just bugged the guys.

New Year's eve was spent with our friend Sharla. We had steak and bakers - delish. The filets were fabulous and a baker was a treat. We finished with a healthy desert of fruit with carmel and chocolate dip.

Today, New Year's day, Reese and Don saw I am Legend. They report it was very scary. Walker and I walked around the mall and had lunch there. He did great and we had fun.

I bought these. I am obscessed with Crocs!