Big Water Slide

Remember this behemouth from last year?  This "world's largest inflatable water slide" was a big favorite last summer.  It was stationed near our home and we visited it several times over the summer.

Well this summer it has a new home, closer to town, and somehow we've gone all summer long without a visit.  So today was the day!  We headed over and the boys jumped on.

They sure come down that slide FAST!

The problem is, they sometimes hit the "wall" at the end of the slide pretty hard, since they're so out of control.  But the boys made a game of trying to slow themselves down enough to not slam the wall too hard.  By the end of our visit, they had found their groove and were having fun.

  Benny usually did a giant flip at the top of the slide before landing and then sailing down.  It was something to see!

There he goes!

The rain clouds held off long enough for us to get our visit in, and leave when we were ready--worn out and wet.  I'm sure we'll be back again soon!

Baby Turtle

Tonight, Marty found a baby turtle in the yard.  He brought him inside for us to see and put him on a paper plate.

Sam was fascinated and held it for a while.

The turtle was all balled up in his shell. Sam wanted to keep him a while to see if he'd come out of his shell and move around. So, while we waited, we resumed our Monopoly game.  The turtle got to pull up a plate and watch.

He never did come out--just stared and stared.  So we put him back outside where he belongs.

But--it was a fun addition to an otherwise ordinary evening!

Virginia Trip

Last week the boys and I went to Williamsburg to join Mom, Dad, Karen and her family, for a week of good times.  We also got to enjoy the company of Louise, Corey, Mikey, Eydie, and Martha.  We stayed at King's Creek, which has a pool the boys love.  There's Benny, diving in!

The cousins played water guns and lots of games.

Karen brought along an orphaned baby bunny she had rescued.  The bunny was teeny-tiny, but nearly old enough to release back into the wild.  We all had fun holding him, feeding him, and watching him hop around.

When we weren't outside in the blazing sun, we were lounging  in the comfy timeshare Mom and Dad got for us.  It was perfect.  The boys each had their own room--Benny in a bedroom, and Sam in the little TV room area with the foldout couch.  They thought that was a wonderful treat.

There were games of Twister and "In A Pickle."

Sunday night we had a huge cookout by the pool.  Eydie came up for it.  We had lots of food!

Dad handled the grilling.  Hot dogs and hamburgers and sliders!

There was no problem getting everyone to eat.  And eat.  And eat.

 Mom provided supplies for S'mores, which everyone liked very much.

After dinner we went back to our place and SURPRISE!  We had a surprise party for Mom's birthday!

Benny had helped me decorate, and between Dad, Karen, and everyone else, we had a cake, presents, and champagne!

The boys were glad to party!

Sam made this little creature with some party-favor Playdough.

 Reed opens the champagne!

Dad makes a toast to Mom.

Later that week we went to Busch Gardens.  It was hot, but the boys were up for it.

Mom, Martha, and Louise.

Karen and Carter ride the swings.

The four boys ride "Escape From Pompeii," which got them wet.  It was a favorite!

Of course ice cream was in order.  And see how Reed is in a sling?  He fell off a scooter the night before and broke his collarbone!  Poor guy.

Benny and I ride the sky ride.  We're looking ahead to the bucket holding Louise, Martha, and Sam.

All in all, a great week, with lots of special treats.  We especially loved going to Water Country, which I do not have pictures of.  The boys love those water slides. And so do I!