Winter Break at Kalahari

What do Midwesterners that can't get to the sunshine state or south do for winter break? We go to the water park (not Kenya as the title of the blog may have misled)! We have become quite the water park snobs, as addressed here at Blabbermouth before, so we found ourselves at Kalahari for President's weekend. And, wouldn't I love to be Mrs. Kalahari? I tell you those places get your money at every turn! It's a child's dream and parent's nightmare. For example, the ingenious strategy that the only way into the water park is having to walk through the arcade where you can earn those dreaded "tickets" to pick out cheap trinkets! And, having a play area right beside the water park entrance that requires socks. I may be in a mom-fashion-rut but I'm pretty sure no one is wearing socks with their swim suits these days. But, nevertheless, there is a vending machine that would typically house Cheetos and Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips that has been converted into a SOCK dispenser. And, we bought two pair for $5. Seriously. The kids had a blast. We got many, many squeals and smiles out of them and that is what matters. Troy and I on the other hand decided to trade the FLU while we were there. Nothing like already being self-conscious in your bathing suit and also worrying if a little gas is gonna have any sputtering along with it while you are rocking in the wave pool! Ugh. It was a great kick start to a weight loss plan, though. Got an ab workout without having to do a single sit up! That's what I'm talking about.

Troy and I were a little surprised to learn that both of the kids have seemingly grown out of the kiddie area. We spent little time there. Nate was just shy of being able to ride any of the big slides. Not sure if he would have had the gumption to do it anyways. We did many, many rounds on the lazy river! Tessa was a fan of the wave pool. She is way shy of being able to ride the big slides, but she would have had no problem sliding down them. Of course, "all by herself," too. She was a mad woman on the jungle gym slides and had to be told several times that she had to sit on her rear end and not helter skelter throw her body down the slide! Gramma Gayla and Grampa Steve came for an afternoon to watch the kids splash around too!

Miss T modeling her life preserver.

What is it about kids having to stand over these geysers and let the bubbles go up there &%@?Nate having a kiddie cocktail and nacho snack.Tessa enjoying her kiddie cocktail.The repercussions of the kiddie cocktail.

Nate fresh down the slide. This is the only picture I have of him in action because it was in the confines of the kiddie area. Otherwise he was running around or doing laps in the lazy river!