Ode to The Perfect Family Getaway and Other Mythical Creatures.....

Every year around this time, we use Cole's Birthday as an excuse to get away for a quick family weekend trip. For whatever reason, we always end up in the Grand Rapids area, doing a lot of the same stuff we do here, just there. Children's Museum, Zoo, Etc... However, this year with the kids all being a little older and TALLER we were able to add some extra fun to our trip. But even the best laid plans.......

First: A ginormous "Shout Out" to Jerel, Lisa and Samuel, who so kindly kept Kasey for us all weekend, so we could be a little more free....

We got the party started on Friday afternoon by dropping Kasey off in Flint, pinned Cole with 2 "Birthday Boy" Buttons (for maximum free meal/dessert exposure) and then headed west. The car ride was fine. The kids watched a movie, snacked on the sugar-fest that I had brought and drank their weight in juice boxes. So far, so good. We arrived at our hotel around 6 and I went to check in. I was quite excited as I had scored a "Free Friday" deal online, which allowed us 2 nights in a River -Side Room for the price of one. When I made my way up to the front desk, I had a mild moment of panic when I saw the sign that said "Pool Closed for Maintenance". I was mere seconds from pulling the fire alarm and screaming "Abort! Abort!" when the lady at the front desk assured me that it would be open within a couple of hours, it was being shocked. (I didn't even ask what had happened in there.....)We proceed to check-in and then take the elevator up a few floors to our River-Side room. A small scuffle ensues around the door as the kids fight about who gets to use the magical card to open the door, but then we are in. Looks fine. I stroll over to the window and throw back my curtain and my breath is taken away, when I behold.....the black tar roof of the pool room....and that's all.... Children, put your hands in the air and back out slowly, DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING! I herded everyone back down to the front desk and politely (they get this option once) asked for a different room. They obliged and we went back up to our sixth floor room which gave us not only a view of the river, but a bonus view/audio of the drunk, dancing, karaoking "Cougars". Let's go eat kids....

Dinner was at Steak and Shake. The kids really enjoyed it paper hats and classic cruisers for all. We came back to the room and had cupcakes and presents for Cole and the rest of the evening went off without a hitch. And that was the end of the first day.....

Now, you know I'm a planner. I'm good at planning, it's one of my strengths. What I'm not good at is having my plans altered....in any way. So when we got up bright and early Saturday morning to start our day of outdoor activities and it was raining, well let's just say, everyone at my house knows to brace themselves. Rob insisted that we go ahead with Phase 1 of our day and just see how it goes. Did I mention that Phase 1 is a one-hour horseback ride? Even with the rain, the kids were thrilled. They all got their own horses, even little Cole, and we all trotted along in the pouring rain. Cole took the lead, followed by Rob, then the twins and I brought up the rear on my lovely horse named "Fury". Oh the irony...will it never cease....Rob refused to turn around and look at me throughout the entire ride. I think he knew that actual fire would shoot from my eyes if he did. However, being a good mommy, I did let out the obligatory Yee-Haw and Looking Good Comments for the kid's sake during the ride. When the ride was over, we spent the next few minutes by the side of some country road changing everyone into dry clothes, well almost everyone. Somehow, there were no dry clothes for Rob (It's the little victories that really matter, people.)

Since the rain hadn't stopped we decided not to go on to Michigan Adventure, which had been Phase 2 of the plan. Instead we headed back into Grand Rapids for Lunch at Logan's, some shopping, Chuck E Cheese, and hotel swimming. When people started to get hungry, I ventured out for pizza, only to return and find Rob laying on the bed not feeling good. My only thought is, "who is gonna eat all this pizza?". Anyways, I get the kids situated on the floor with their slices and drinks and just as I was about to sit down ,Blake says "I'm gonna be sick!" and then he was. All the way from one side of the room to the other, and all over the bathroom. You have got to be joking...Now, I don't mind vomit, I am actually a pro at cleaning up all child and animal bodily emmissions. But honestly, when I am in a hotel with 2 non-absorbent towels, how am I supposed to handle this? So I call down to the desk, explain and thankfully they had another room. Rob took the kids on down while I try to semi-pack and move-out of the room. It took a while. And that was the end of the second day....

Sunday was much better. It wasn't raining so we headed up to Michigan's Adventure. We did have to make a quick Wal-Mart stop on the way to reoutfit everyone in new hoodies, etc.. as all was still wet from the horseback ride the day before and it was a little cool. The day went great. The twins were tall enough to ride just about everything, so Rob and I took turns going around with Cole to all of his rides. Everyone had a good time, but were ready to go home at days end. We stopped off in Flint and picked up Kasey and made it home around 10:40 p.m. We didn't bother to unpack, we just threw the kids into bed and we had our lights out by 11:00. When asked the next day what their favorite part of the trip was, the kids promptly replied "swimming at the hotel! ". It figures.....

Check out my Facebook Page for the other trip photos!