One Amazing Weekend

After Thanksgiving, we headed north for our mystery destination.  On the way down the road, Dylan burst into tears. 
When we asked him what was wrong he yelled, "I'm not buckled in!!!"

Whoops. 
It happens.   
But it was funny.

So, on the road again.

The news predicted two hour waits at the border; we got right in. 

Our hotel overlooked Niagara Falls. 
Our check-in was at 4PM.  We arrived at 1:30.  Again, no wait, room available. 
Nice. 

When we got to our room, Wow!  What an amazingly beautiful view!  Later the holiday lights went on, and it was wonderful. 

We began our adventure by going to the waterpark; uncrowded and warm.

Dyleva was sufficiently tired out after a couple hours.  We took a break, and ate dinner at the Hard Rock. 
Of course, I happened to find myself sitting under Dave Matthews guitar....
What are the odds?

Later we returned to the waterpark for some adventure play.

Eventually, we returned to the room. 
Dyleva spent over an hour soaking in the bathtub, because there was a TV in there.  A Christmas program was on.

Seriously? Soaking in the bathtub while watching a Christmas program

 
My kids have the life. 

Just before we were nestled, all snug in our beds, fireworks began outside our window. 

Are you kidding me?  How much more perfect could the night have been?

****
I woke up in a marshmellow bed and Starbucks coffee.

We had a little desayuno, and then headed for the waterpark yet again.

Afterward, we took the kids up Clifton Hill.

There is so many cheesy activities to choose from...where do we begin?

Well, with the big-ass ferris wheel of course.  It was warmer than the outside and no wait. 

Again, beautiful views.  We could see the Maid of the Mist and both waterfalls. 






Next we explored the "House of Mirrors..."  I don't know.  It seemed like a good idea in the freezing cold wind....

We lunched at the equally cheesy Rainforest café, and then headed south of the border.

For the record, Dyleva was intrigued by the shark and simulated thunderstorm at the Rainforest Café.

Success.  A journey over the border.

Bugging Grandma-Grandma

My Mom planned a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner for us.  Dyleva enjoyed it, but they are always fascinated by the little old lady in the back room with all the dolls, Grandma-Grandma.

Eva and Grandma-Grandma are the perfect match.  Eva talks her ear off, and Grandma doesn't remember anything she says, so she could talk to her for hours.  It never gets old. 

Dylan just likes to play with her dolls.

So they bugged her for quite a while, asking her all kinds of questions. 

Happy Thanksgiving!  We are thankful for our family! 
 

Eva's First Pin

We weren't sure about Girl Scouts.  Eva expressed interest last year...and as her year began, and when we found out she "made the cut,"  we were all really excited. 

The reality however wasn't as glamorous. 
They started talking about fundraising the first day.  The setting is dingy and slightly depressing....in my opinion. 

But Eva Magnolia, my little ray of sunshine, does not seem fazed by this in the least.  She goes in cheerfully every week, and looks forward to seeing the girls. 

She recently earned her first two petals, and her first pin.  The pin came from performing a good deed, which in her case was thinking of her brother and putting his needs before her own. 

That's my Daisy. 

Our Spooky Night

Last night, as I came home from work with Dyleva, we arrived at a dark house.  We were late because traffic had been a nightmare.  Jeff had flashlights, and a burning fire all ready for us, and the generator set up....just in case.  

We had some wicked weather coming through- winds up to 60 mph gusts and rain sleeting down.  Consequently, our electric had been out for a while.  I had no idea what time it was.  It was awesome.  It would have been more awesome if the stove didn't work and we had to order out.

Dylan and Eva went right for the jeep with the wagon attached.  Eva put her baby in the back, and before you knew it, they were cruising quickly through the dark rooms with flashlights shining out from the wagon and jeep!  Watch out for that wall!

I prepared dinner by candlelight, after I figured out how to use the stove.  The ninos loved it.  We had spooky dinners during Halloween but this one was really dark.

Afterward we spent the evening playing Ninja Turtle Memory by fire light.  It was very nice, other than the sound of constant sibling bickering.  I enjoyed our unplugged evening.  I think the rest of the family did as well....at least until the Bills game started...

Fall Fiesta

Tonight we had our 2nd annual Halloween party.  

It was a perfect spooky fall weather night, warm and windy.  The rain (unfortunately) came at perfect increments- right before the games, and then down poured after.

The ninos had so much fun playing the games and running around in their costumes.  Here are some action photos.

Our Graveyard Smash

The first animal we saw.
 

Yay!  No school today! 

We had already decorated for Halloween. 
We have a singing Frankenstein in the bathroom. 
He sings the Monster Mash. 


So Dylan comes to me this morning and asks, "Mommy, what's a graveyard smash?" 


Dylan drawing his name in the stone.

I needed a moment to place into context and replied, "Um, I think it means they were having fun in the cemetery.  Isn't that weird?  Who has a party in a graveyard?!"

Apparently that answer pleased him. 
We continued to get ready to leave the house.  Today was a gorgeous fall day, and I couldn't wait to get outside. 

We went to Mommy's park for a nature walk.  I try to get there at least once a season.  Dyleva is like, at one with the Earth.  I couldn't be more pleased.  We can't even hike, because they are constantly stopping to look at things.  That's awesome!

"D" for Dylan!

Today was no different.  Dylan said to me, "Mommy, Rock and Roll." 
"What does that mean?"
"Mommy, that's what Max says.  It means, 'Let's get going.'"

Okay then. 

We saw nothing but beauty, but also nothing spectacular, or so I thought.....  Dylan borrowed Eva's camera and started taking pictures of everything he thought was beautiful.

Eva, sat down, and pulled out a notebook.  I had no idea she brought it, because she generally carries luggage with her everywhere she goes. 
She began journaling about what was going on!  My six year old!  I was so impressed. 



Our Graveyard Smash!

Later, we met with our good friends for a picnic and play.  We had so much fun, but since we were out that way, we stopped at Mayer Brothers. 

It was soooo busy!!!!  We bought some cider, apples, and other goodies.

When we came out, there was no where to sit.  So we walked next door. 

Guess what was next door?  You guessed it!  A graveyard.

We found a dragonfly; it
was our first animal

We are going to the Apple
store with Zoey and Miss
Nancy

It was busy.  We got 3 carmel
apples and it was good.  I ate
all the carmel.



We found a grasshopper. 
Mommy scooped him up,
Mommy said close your hand
and then open it.

Mama almost got him
out, then wash his shoes.

My Mommy is going to
get 2 Lily pads.

Dylan almost lost
his shoes like me.

We totally crashed the graveyard and had a smash! 
Who would have thought.