More from the Hotel and Pool

The morning we checked out, the kids enjoyed a little more time with Disney Channel. 

Please do not ask me how Elise was able to watch TV in this position.  I cannot even comprehend.

After a little TV time, we went back to the pool and once again, were the only people there.  How nice to have the pool to ourselves.  Paige loved it when someone would hold her so she could swim without her water wings like the big kids.

Merry Grace was so proud of how much swimming she was able to do without her water wings.  She has improved by leaps and bounds this summer.  She swam so well, she actually made us a teensy bit nervous.  Ian, especially, was concerned about her.  He kept telling her, "Merry Grace, you need to put your water wings on because you are freaking me out."  I wish I could have recorded their conversation because it was hilarious.  He was so worried about her drowning and she would say, "Hey Ian!  Watch this!!!" and go completely underwater.

Paige got a little chilled in the water and decided she'd rather relax in the beach chairs and play peek-a-boo with her towel.

Merry Grace showing off her newly acquired jumping skills.

Ian loves cannonballs.  LOVES them.

Elise was a great jumper too.  They had such fun playing in the pool.  I almost think they liked it more than the beach.

While the other kids were still swimming, my little tomboy found a a roly-poly.

She could NOT have been happier about this little bug to play with.

She is not in the least afraid or nervous about holding bugs, spiders or anything creepy crawly.  In fact, I have to keep a close eye on her outside because I never know what she might pick up or play with.  I'm not entirely sure this roly-poly survived his encounter with Paigie Poo.  He sure was great entertainment for her, though.

How cute is this little darlin' in her towel?  Oh. My. Word.  I could eat her up!

Merry Grace and Elise had such a great time swimming.  Cory took Ian and Paige up to the room (Paige was tired and Ian was hungry) and I didn't think these girls would ever get tired!!! (Which was fine with me. :))

The Hotel

We loved the aquarium.  We're glad we went.  We will likely go again sometime.  But in all truthfulness, it was the hotel which has been the highlight of the trip for the kids.

We don't have cable at home, so access to Disney Channel was pretty awesome.  Is that the life, or what?  Pizza, Root Beer and Phineas and Ferb--I don't see how it could get much better.  This morning they were watching an episode of Phineas and Ferb when the the TV announcer said, "More episodes of Phineas and Ferb, coming up next."  Ian yells, "YES!!!  This is the best day of my life!"  It really is the little things.

It didn't hurt at all that the hotel had a pool.  We went swimming after dinner last night and had the pool all to ourselves for the entire time.  Sweet.

Ian is getting to be quite the little swimmer.  He and Elise are both very comfortable, good swimmers.

After we got back to the hotel room, Paige needed a pedicure. :)  You don't get to be the dad of three girls without picking up a few useful skills along the way.

Paige had to lean in for a closer look, to make sure he was doing it right.  Is he a good Daddy or what? :)

She had to point out a couple of things, but overall, I think he did great. :)

This morning, the kids discovered the "hot breakfast" offered by the hotel.  They were in awe.  After we ate, they wanted to know if they served lunch too. :)  What a fun, mini-break we've had.

The Shark Exhibit

Ian really likes sharks.  He likes checking out shark books from the library.  He likes learning about sharks and seeing pictures of sharks.  So the shark exhibit was undoubtedly his favorite part of the aquarium.  He requested a picture with each picture and display in the area.  Cory tried to dissuade him from this plan, but he could not be deterred.

You are looking at one cute boy. :)

When the shark in the giant tank swam right up to the window, Ian was in heaven!!!

I love how he's showing me the shark.  He reminds me of one of the ladies on The Price is Right. Too Funny. :)

The title of the poster he's posing in front of says, "Awesome Not Fearsome."  I think that's an appropriate description of Ian as well. :)

A tiny shark jaw skeleton.  Yes, it was very cool.

More awesome Shark pictures.  Can you have too many pictures or posters?  Absolutely not.  Just ask Ian.  He'll tell you. :)

What could be better than one shark jaw skeleton?  A whole wall of shark skeletons.

And another!!!  The biggest one of all!!!

And finally, when the big shark swam by again, Ian pumped his fist and yelled, "Yes!!!"  This was by far his favorite part of the aquarium.

The Aquarium

It has been years since Cory and I have been to the aquarium and I don't think any of the kids have ever been.  It was really great.  It was small enough that we could see everything we wanted to see in about an hour and a half.  That was the perfect amount of time for parents and kids.

We started off by taking advantage of the water screens for a nice photo op.  Thanks for humoring me, kids.

Elise wanted a picture with the Alligator statue.  She's laughing because I told her to stick her head in it's mouth for the picture. :)

Checking out the real Alligator.  There were five or six of them and they were really neat.

The older kids by the "hands-on" pool.  Definitely one of the highlights.

It took Elise a little bit to gather her courage to touch the things in the pool.

Merry Grace and Ian even picked up the starfish.  They couldn't believe it was a real starfish.

We loved the giant fish tank.  Elise makes a cute fishy face.

What a good Daddy to let Paigie escape from the stroller.  And then carry her around and show her things.  Some people think she's easier to watch when she's strapped in.

The "giant sting ray" was also a highlight for the kids.  He swam right up to the edge and made friends.

When Ian saw this in the tank he said, "Look!!!  It's Nemo!!!  And his dad!!!"  Love it. :)

 Once we made it through the aquarium we walked out side and looked at the birds through the giant binoculars.  This was only a moment before Ian let the "giant binoculars" slam down on Merry Grace's finger.  For those of you who know how she handles "owies", you can imagine how that went down.  Truthfully, I'm surprised it didn't break them.  Poor girl.

Luckily, she recovered in time for another cute photo-op.  Those are four CUTE kiddos. :)

We did make a pass through the gift shop, only to realize there was nothing in our budget.  $2.00 for a pencil?  Are you kidding me?  But the kids were great about it and didn't beg.  Even they realized the outlandish prices were crazy.  It was a fun trip and we can't wait to come back!

Mini Vacation

We felt like we needed a tiny little getaway, so we decided to make an overnight trip to the coast.  So we packed some bags and loaded the car and got ready to head off.

Kit Cat offered to drive and give Cory a break, but we weren't sure she had a current driver's license. :)

The older kids enjoyed the ride by building "tents" in the backseat of the van.  Clever, I think. :)

Paige was happy as a clam with a little candy and a Wendy's cup full of Sprite.  She took a little bird bath in it while she rode.  How nice.

Merry Grace enjoyed singing along to the music we played.  I couldn't stop laughing at her rendition of "Sweet Caroline" sung in true Tarheel fashion.  Someone has taught her well. :)

By the time we got the the aquarium, we felt like we'd already had a vacation because the car ride was so much fun. :)

Reason #31 That We Don't Need a Gym Membership

Enough said.

More Pictures with the Cats

The kids took my camera out on the porch and took some pictures with the cute little kitties.  

Elise and Kit Cat

Just Ian and his cute self.

Merry Grace and Striker, the most cuddle kitten ever.

Paige holding Kit Cat.  If he looks terrified, its probably because he is. :)

She loves holding the kittens and loving on them.  Unfortunately her "love" often involves choking them.

Striker, who loves purring on your lap, will let Paige hold her for a minute, but even Striker has her limits of what she can put up with.

This just makes me laugh.  She is loving holding this kitten so MUCH.  I can just see Striker trying to wiggle out of her "loving" grasp. :)  Funny kids.  I love looking at the pictures they took and think they did a wonderful job!