Columbus Day 2

There were a few things that we researched to do while we were there and depending on the day and how everybody was feeling we decided what to do which day.  This day when G got back from his talks and stuff we tried out their conservatory.  We had visited a place like this in Chicago, and the kids loved it, so we thought we'd try this one.  It was pretty cool!  It turned out to be a pretty hot day but all in all I think they enjoyed it.























































































The exhibit they liked the most was the butterfly room.  Just like Frederik Meijer Gardens they have a room full of butterflies that just fly around.  These particular kinds were not native to the area so they were all new to the kids.  My favorite was this brilliantly bright blue one on top of the wings but when it sat with its wings closed up it was a dull brown color, and it blended in quite well.  Dude loved chasing them around and seeing all the different colors.
































































The day ended up being a little too hot so after we saw all the grounds we went back to the hotel and swam some more.  I think the kids would've honestly been happy enough to stay in the hotel and just swim the entire time!  It was amazing though, because we were in the water so much Lucy became more of a confident swimmer and can now swim without any flotation devices!  :)  Norah became more comfortable with her puddle jumper and can get around the pool by herself now, which was adorable to see.









I think that afternoon G had to go back to the conference and I was going to take the kids to this ice cream place that had a playground inside, but they misbehaved so badly that we ended up having to stay at the hotel, which was much more difficult and way less fun.  :( They had a little down time in the hotel room and watched some Sesame Street which they LOVED.  We had tried them on it before but they didn't seem too keen, but they thought it was hilarious this time.  We haven't had TV in such a long time it was a bit of a shock to see commercials.  The kids didn't understand why their show was being interrupted but they got over it rather quickly.






After G got back from the conference we had some dinner and swam some more.  Onto day 3!

JVG

Columbus Day 1

Gaetan was invited to this physics conference in Columbus, and since there was funding for him to go we were able to go as a family and turn it into a bit of a vacation!  I know when you tell most people that you're going on vacation to Columbus it doesn't sound that glamorous but it is actually a cool place.  Most of OH is so-so but because OSU is there I think that changed a lot of things.  Dude had his last music visitation that day with Mrs Boal so we went to that in the morning.  Then, we got home and packed things up so that we could be on the road and check into the hotel on time.  Its about a 4.5 hour trip but it was a little longer with potty stops and all that.  Norah did amazingly well the entire trip and only had one accident, which is really good considering the surroundings were unfamiliar and we were in public a lot.  We made it the hotel just fine, but as we were pulling in our car was making quite the unhappy noise.  :(  There wasn't a whole lot we could do about it since we were there but it was something that we were gonna have to get looked at soon.  The kiddos were really excited that there was a pool so we hit that up first.  The room itself was really nice for what we needed.  There were two queen beds and then a little living room area with a fold out couch.  It was perfect for Norah.  I was a little apprehensive about staying in a hotel for so many nights because the last time we stayed in one the first night was awful trying to get the kids to go to sleep... but we had a plan this time around!




After the kiddos swam and enjoyed the hot tub I realized it was getting pretty late and we hadn't eaten dinner yet.  So, we asked them what they wanted to eat and they said Olive Garden.  It was pretty clear that they were exhausted from the drive down but they were doing well... until... we found a tick on Dude's head.  I was so entirely grossed out but didn't want to freak out in front of him because I didn't want him to worry.  He had put his head down on Gaetan and Gaetan was rubbing his back and his head... and that's when we found it.  We have no idea when he got it or how long but it wouldn't come out easily.  We quickly got our food in boxes and then had to head over to Wal-Mart (that's how desperate we were) to get tweezers and rubbing alcohol.  I can't even begin to tell you how nasty it was... so G successfully got it off of him and we flushed it down the toilet.  Of course, after that, we did a thorough check of everyone else and we were good to go.  We think that he might have gotten it from the backyard from our place and our neighbor said that she has found ticks on her dog too... yippee.  I know that they said that ticks were really bad this year, but COME ON! GROSS!





To help everyone feel a little better we went swimming until the pool closed and then got the kiddos in bed.  They were exhausted and did a great job of going to sleep.  Norah was quite happy with her little set up in the little room over and she went right to sleep.  :)
































I was happy to be sleeping as well.  Poor G had to wake up early and go to the conference to register and to listen to a few talks.  But... that is for day 2.

JVG

Lunch with Christina

A friend of mine from GVSU is having her first baby and since she's been married they have been living all over the place!  They spent a few years teaching in Korea but since they have been back they are in the GR area.  I totally missed both of her baby showers and felt awful, and I wanted to see her and the baby so we got together for lunch since she works downtown.  It was nice for her to meet Norah and see the older two again.  its funny to see how friendships sustain over the years, especially when it was just happenstance that we met.








Luckily for me I did get a chance to go to a baby shower that her family friends threw last minute!  So Lucy and I got to have a bit of a Momma/Goose day together and drive to Grand Haven to attend. it was so nice to see her again before they move to Utah!  Her husband, Ben, got a job there and they're moving in two weeks.  I totally know what its like to move when pregnant but we weren't moving across the country... so I will be thinking of them as they start their new adventure in a new place with their new baby.  :)













JVG

Trailing

The weather is nice which means we are hitting the trails!  Literally!  There isn't much about this new place that we love but one thing we do is the location.  Its close to the trails and it has a lot of outdoor things that we can do.  So far the summer has been shaping up to be very buggy but on the days that we can go out we do!











JVG