Weekend

We had a pretty good weekend. On Friday morning we drove over to Marietta, Georgia to go to Whitewater. We met my SIL at the Steak N Shake to eat lunch before heading on to the park. Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating and we had to change our plans. We headed South to the town of Newnan and checked in at our hotel (Country Inns & Suites). SIL and I took the kids swimming while hubby napped and then we went to see Nancy Drew. We ate dinner at a local Mexican place in Newnan.

Saturday morning (after a lovely breakfast at our hotel) we went into Atlanta to visit the Georgia Aquarium. When we first arrived the aquarium was not yet overcrowded and the first part of our visit was pleasant. However, after about an hour the aquarium became too crowded to enjoy. We proceeded to try and see the remaining exhibits despite the crowds but everyone was starting to get cranky and hungry. The crowds around Centennial Park and the Coca-Cola Museum were also ridiculous and so we headed back out of town. I know that the Georgia Aquarium is described as the largest in the U.S. but I did not enjoy it as much as the one Chattanooga or Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Even without the crowds the viewing areas of the aquarium were small and the actual number of exhibits seemed smaller.

We headed North to Gwinnett County and spent a few hours at Dave and Buster's enjoying their various games. That night we sampled the local favorite, Sprayberry's Barbecue. We enjoyed spending time with SIL and seeing her "office" and apartment. Sunday morning we headed home.

The kids were disappointed about missing Whitewater (can't say the same for myself) but overall it was a good trip.

Edit: To see pictures visit my SIL's post.

Thirteen Things to Do in Huntsville and surrounding Area

1. Visit the US Space and Rocket Center complete with a full-size Saturn V replica and Harry Potter on IMAX.

2. Visit Early Works Children's History Museum with among other things, a talking tree.

3. Visit the Huntsville Botanical Gardens - there is always something going on there.

4. Visit Sci-Quest Hands on Science Museum. I haven't visited this one, but the kids seem to enjoy it.

5. Harmony Animal Reserve. I haven't seen this one either but there are supposed to be many exotic animals. The closest Huntsville comes to having an actual zoo.

6. Take in a Huntsville Stars (minor league) baseball game.

7. Ice skating

8. Point Mallard Water Park

9. Cathedral Caverns

10. Burritt on the Mountain - a living, history museum

11. Southern Adventures - family amusement park

12. Enjoy one of our many parks and kids play areas such as Kids Space & Kids Kingdom

13. Enjoy a bike ride on one of our many greenways.

I only chose kid friendly activities. This would make an interesting meme. I challenge anyone reading this to list activities in your city (or the surrounding area).

Thursday

Yesterday, I took the kids to Point Mallard for the day. We went with another family from school. This park has a wave pool, an Olympic pool, and several water slides. Lots of fun was had by all and we returned sunburned despite the sunscreen.

Today, my daughter had a dentist appt. We went by the elementary school on the way to register for fall and by the University fitness center to register for swim lessons. We tried to feed some ducks lunch but mostly fed turtles (Too hot for ducks? Maybe they've flown north for the summer. Smart ducks!!!) We went to Cracker Barrel and had breakfast for lunch.

In a little while when the sun starts to hide itself behind the trees I've got to go out in the 90 degree heat and fertilize the flowers. The drought has not been kind to my garden. I'm glad that summer flowers here usually bloom well into October.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things To Do With My Kids This Summer

1. Pottery By U - done

2. Bowling - Mom took them

3. Vacation Bible School - done

4. Point Mallard Water Park - done

5. Jump Zone - done

6. Picnic in the Park - too hot

7. See Aunt Terry run her first 5mile race - done

8. Go out with cousins on the river - done

9. Free Movie

10. Go out to lunch with my Grandmother Esther - done

11. Go to Atlanta and visit Aunt Terry and do #12 & #13 - done

12. Visit Whitewater - rained out

13. Visit The Georgia Aquarium - done

Long Weekend

I had a nice 4 day weekend because of the holiday. Friday I went with B to Chuck E Cheese for her end of the year party. Have you been to CEC? It is really more fun than most adults can stand. We then met hubby at Beauregard's for lunch (no greasy pizza for me, thank you). Saturday, I baby-sat our friend's little boy, David, for a few hours. I drained, cleaned, and refilled the hot-tub (with the kids help). The kids and I went swimming next door (the next best thing to your own pool is a neighbor with a pool). I got the rest of my plants in the ground and watered everything. Sunday night we went to O'Charley's to celebrate J's birthday. We got him a basketball goal. We have a really large, flat driveway. We got a few balls so everyone could join in. I can't help thinking how good I might have been at basketball if the goal had only been lower. Yesterday, we all went to see Shrek III. I'm sorry, Mike, that I didn't listen to you. We should have waited for the video. We really wanted to see the new Pirates movie but since it's PG-13 didn't want to take the kids without seeing it first. We ate lunch at Casa Blanca. So overall, we had a great weekend. We got some work done, and had a lot of family time. I'm excited that I have finished planting flowers. Thanks, hubby, for fixing the sprinkler.

We have an exciting week. B's Kindergarten graduation is tonite. Tomorrow is J's end of the year party. Thursday is only 1/2 day of school. Friday they both start summer care, though.

Star Wars Lego

Okay. I have a confession to make. Perhaps, it will paint me in a bad light. Perhaps, some of you will decide to quit checking in on my blog. Perhaps, you will shake your head and say, "I thought she had a job?", or "I thought she read all the time." Here it goes:

I have become addicted to my children's Star Wars Lego game.

I don't know how it could have happened really. I have never been a big video game player. Until this Christmas we had not owned our own game console and our games were restricted to computer games. I have enjoyed a few of these over the years, like Zoo and RollerCoaster Tycoon. My son and husband enjoy a lot of others which I couldn't begin to name.

To start with the new Nintendo GameCube (becuase we don't buy what is the new "thing".) is still in the living room. I had planned to move it to the playroom when my mother gives us her old T.V. (she having inherited a t.v/dvd/vcr). So it has been taking up the living room floor since Christmas. We've all 4 played MarioKart which is mildly entertaining until the crying starts and my son really likes Need For Speed. But it is Star Wars that has me hooked (line and sinker).

The game is fairly easy although there are some challenges too difficult for my 6 year old's skills. You can play with one or 2 players and the second player can drop out at anytime. Perhaps, the game appeals to my goal-orientated personality. Maybe, it is the cute Lego characters. Maybe it is because it is just challenging enough to keep you playing. I have played through the entire game and am now trying to unlock the bonus chapter.

It's starting to disrupt my sleep. I told my husband, "I can stop anytime I want." But I am not so sure. Last night, he suggested a TiVo program (because we are so far behind on our viewing we are running out of space) and I managed to turn the game off. I can only play after the kids are in bed, you see.

My husband doesn't even get to play because the game only has positions to save 3 games so he has been left out. I'm going to finish soon, though. And then I can start on Lego Star Wars: The Original Trilogy.

I just saw on Amazon that this is available for the PC for under $20. But it looks like I would need a special game controller and some special video card. It is probably for the best.