Something for everyone
For the very first time as a family of four, we struck out on vacation. Just us. An adventure if there ever was one.
Actually, it was a plan B type of adventure, as our initial plans for the summer changed quite a bit. We had hoped to finally get back to Brandon's and my very favorite destination, Myrtle Beach. We had visions of reconnecting with all those great spots and showing the boys why it is such a great place to be.
Stuff happened though, as it tends to. And so I planned hard, trying to make up for the massive disappointment felt by the three who so badly wanted sand between their toes and the one who wanted to breathe the air in the golf capital of the world. Tried to get something into this backup plan that would be fun for everyone.
I picked Williamsburg. Far away enough to be called away, but still pretty close to home and plenty of good stuff to offer for all of us.
For the boys, it was Great Wolf Lodge. Warning: if you're a mom and you go in by yourself to register during prime check-in time, you will be completely overwhelmed and immediately regret your decision to stay there. Kids in wolf ears everywhere, folks of all ages wandering around in bathing suits, loud music and magic wands and toddlers dragging their parents by their beach towels around a massive log cabin.
Check-in aside, the resort did not disappoint. On the contrary, it was quite an experience. It had everything a kid could dream of. We bowled, we putt putted, we arcaded, we played this weird game where you had to hit the lit up dots in the dark to get points. We didn't even touch all there was to do, and the boys had a blast.
As much fun as all of the extras were, those weren't even the highlights of the trip for the boys.
Favorite thing one: of course, the indoor waterpark. Climbing and sliding and splashing and swimming and floating in the wave pool and simmering in the hot tub. And having 1,000 gallons of water dumped on you every five minutes, which honestly stung a bit. We kept an eye on the boys, but most of the time they didn't even care that we were there.
I pause here to lament that there are no photos of playtime at the water park. I was way looking forward to all those huge slides and knew my phone would be fully drowned. Which leads to a second lament that Poppop didn't join us, because after two trips down two of the big slides, all the tough guys around me decided the rides weren't for them and I was out of luck for sure. It ain't easy being the only fun one, y'all. End pause.
Favorite thing two: the lodge is very respectful of parents who don't like to cart their whole life around with them. Room keys, waterpark access, even paying for extra stuff is all built into a wristband you wear the whole time you are there. The boys haggled and bickered and smacked each other for the privilege of opening our room door every time we went in. The wristbands were more of a hit than the elevator, believe it or not. These boys are obsessed with hotel life anyway. Throw in a magical wristband, you've made their lives.
For me, the treat was of course going down to old Williamsburg and strolling Duke of Gloucester Street. I cannot describe the peace that comes over me there. It's so old and beautiful and just...simple. Watched the sun set over Bruton Parish Church, and it was just as amazing as you'd imagine.
For Brandon, it was all about Yorktown. We went to the American Revolution Museum and then took a driving tour of the battlefield. He was able to explain to both the boys and me how things happened during that battle, and it was humbling to stand in the spots where those brave men fought for liberty in a war they really should not have won. Praise God for our freedom.
This is Surrender Field, the only photo I took:
We had such a great time. And I must here give props to our resident navigator, Trey. His new GPS in hand, we gave him full reign over our directions for the entire trip. Didn't ask Siri even one thing. Trey took us everywhere we needed to go, and not once did we get lost. He is truly something else in his sense of direction and understanding of geography. So glad he was able to use this very unique gift as part of our vacation.
It's one we won't soon forget. Great memories, just us four.
Actually, it was a plan B type of adventure, as our initial plans for the summer changed quite a bit. We had hoped to finally get back to Brandon's and my very favorite destination, Myrtle Beach. We had visions of reconnecting with all those great spots and showing the boys why it is such a great place to be.
Stuff happened though, as it tends to. And so I planned hard, trying to make up for the massive disappointment felt by the three who so badly wanted sand between their toes and the one who wanted to breathe the air in the golf capital of the world. Tried to get something into this backup plan that would be fun for everyone.
I picked Williamsburg. Far away enough to be called away, but still pretty close to home and plenty of good stuff to offer for all of us.
For the boys, it was Great Wolf Lodge. Warning: if you're a mom and you go in by yourself to register during prime check-in time, you will be completely overwhelmed and immediately regret your decision to stay there. Kids in wolf ears everywhere, folks of all ages wandering around in bathing suits, loud music and magic wands and toddlers dragging their parents by their beach towels around a massive log cabin.
Check-in aside, the resort did not disappoint. On the contrary, it was quite an experience. It had everything a kid could dream of. We bowled, we putt putted, we arcaded, we played this weird game where you had to hit the lit up dots in the dark to get points. We didn't even touch all there was to do, and the boys had a blast.
As much fun as all of the extras were, those weren't even the highlights of the trip for the boys.
Favorite thing one: of course, the indoor waterpark. Climbing and sliding and splashing and swimming and floating in the wave pool and simmering in the hot tub. And having 1,000 gallons of water dumped on you every five minutes, which honestly stung a bit. We kept an eye on the boys, but most of the time they didn't even care that we were there.
I pause here to lament that there are no photos of playtime at the water park. I was way looking forward to all those huge slides and knew my phone would be fully drowned. Which leads to a second lament that Poppop didn't join us, because after two trips down two of the big slides, all the tough guys around me decided the rides weren't for them and I was out of luck for sure. It ain't easy being the only fun one, y'all. End pause.
Favorite thing two: the lodge is very respectful of parents who don't like to cart their whole life around with them. Room keys, waterpark access, even paying for extra stuff is all built into a wristband you wear the whole time you are there. The boys haggled and bickered and smacked each other for the privilege of opening our room door every time we went in. The wristbands were more of a hit than the elevator, believe it or not. These boys are obsessed with hotel life anyway. Throw in a magical wristband, you've made their lives.
For me, the treat was of course going down to old Williamsburg and strolling Duke of Gloucester Street. I cannot describe the peace that comes over me there. It's so old and beautiful and just...simple. Watched the sun set over Bruton Parish Church, and it was just as amazing as you'd imagine.
For Brandon, it was all about Yorktown. We went to the American Revolution Museum and then took a driving tour of the battlefield. He was able to explain to both the boys and me how things happened during that battle, and it was humbling to stand in the spots where those brave men fought for liberty in a war they really should not have won. Praise God for our freedom.
This is Surrender Field, the only photo I took:
We had such a great time. And I must here give props to our resident navigator, Trey. His new GPS in hand, we gave him full reign over our directions for the entire trip. Didn't ask Siri even one thing. Trey took us everywhere we needed to go, and not once did we get lost. He is truly something else in his sense of direction and understanding of geography. So glad he was able to use this very unique gift as part of our vacation.
It's one we won't soon forget. Great memories, just us four.
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