Maybe We Should Just Move In

We spend so much time at the zoo we should just get our own exhibit! This time, it was the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Since I write about zoo trips all the time, I'll just let the pictures tell today's story.

When All Else Fails, Chuck E. Cheese

It was still raining, despite the forecast that kept promising sun tomorrow. No really, sun tomorrow. No, really.... Okay, it's still raining. So we headed to Chuck E. Cheese for the morning.
Nicky won a free ice cream, which made his day.
And everyone else was content to just blow through 150 tokens in under an hour!
Now what?

Crafty Cousins

We spent a lot of time this week making crafts. It kept everyone occupied and happy when the weather turned rainy, and it was a cheap way to have some fun souvenirs of a week with Aunt Jenn. Even if I did feel like I was running a day camp some days! Here's some of the kids' handiwork.

Sunshine and Sniffles

Our day didn't go as smoothly today as at the Crayola Factory yesterday. It started off with a simple round of mini-golf.
But soon a hot and overtired Juli got really cranky.
But we had to let the other kids finish their game, so Aunt Jenn got to carry a whimpering child all around the course in August heat.
Meanwhile, Hannah's shocked by Nicky - I'm glad I didn't play - he was on a roll, and probably beat everyone by a large margin. Too bad we weren't keeping score!
Juli put on a fake smile for the traditional golf cart picture, and then we headed to the Promenade.
I thought a dip in the fountain might cool off her grouchies.
But after one touch, she was outta there.
Everyone else got as wet as fish, though!
Or possibly wetter than fish. Hard to tell.

Creative Outlet

I had planned to spend the week between VBS and band camp with the kids, doing all the fun things we haven't had time for during this busy summer. But when Barry got a new job, I ended up spending the week with ALL the kids. On Monday, we headed for the Crayola Factory.
First, we stopped off in the attached Canal Museum and guided some boats down locks.
Of course, you need a mule for that, and Hannah fell in love with this one. Seriously. She kept talking about the mule all day.
I don't think Juli will find cleaning clothes fun for much longer.
But everyone loves a train!
Then it was time to start creating.
We used every Crayola product known to kids.
Nicky even won extra products by knowing what color a kid had named. (Macaroni and Cheese)
No matter what Kai and Nick might think, Hannah knows that you're never too old for fingerpaint!
Painting these turtles was a highlight - everyone agreed Juli's was the best!
Between one thing...
And another...
We whiled away the hours, winding up with a visit to the world's largest crayon. Time for the world's longest nap!