Fun Staycation to chase away the cold

The kids had a day off of school on Friday, which happened to correspond with Mike's day and morning off before his work weekend. So we took advantage of the late-week time off to take a one day staycation right here in Des Moines, and chase away the winter blues. Jack's class presented a little play for the parents and siblings on Thursday morning, which we attended before our adventure.

Before the play (We really need to teach that kid to tie his own shoes and give his teachers a break :)



He and his friend Kate doing their one-liner:




After a lovely little Jan Brett play, followed by cookies made by the kids, we left to begin our "vacation." We stopped for lunch at Jethro's BBQ near Drake. Our waitress said to me, "You are brave. I have one 4-yr-old and I NEVER go out to eat." And here I thought they were pretty good at this restaurant...



Finally, the kids were giddy to get to the hotel and begin our PIRATE ADVENTURE.








Gavin really loved those slides, as did the other two.


We ate dinner at 4:30 and they were already WIPED OUT. Three hours of swimming and they were so done.



But after Mike left to take Gavin home for the overnight shift, the older ones revved up enough to head back out to the Tiki bar for some ice cream and pirate play.





All THREE of us were in bed at 8:38 PM, oblivious to the screams and splashes in the pool outside our door.

The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast for three bright and early at the hotel restaurant before Mike and Gavin came back for more swimming.



After spending way too much money in the arcade, the boys enjoyed watching CABLE cartoons (ooh, ahh) the rest of the morning before we checked out.


Then it was Friday afternoon, and Mike left for a loooonnnng weekend at work. Boo.