Signal Bay Water Park

While we haven't made it into the city lately, we have explored some more places a little closer to home here in Virginia.  Last weekend, my mother, sister, grandmother, and niece got to come out here and spend Labor Day weekend with us celebrating Eli's birthday a little early (and bring us a deep freeze full of homegrown meat!).  We spent some time shopping at Potomac Mills (the largest outlet mall in the country) and Ikea, visiting Mount Vernon, riding the King Street Trolley in Alexandria, and splashing things up at a local water park.  Posts for the other places may eventually show up, but I definitely wanted to write about the water park today.

Though there are several options around our area, we decided to head to the Signal Bay Water Park for its last day of the season.  This place was pretty much perfect for our group, it was designed with the youngest tots in mind.  Taking three kids under four, the depth of water measured at one foot was ideal.  The kids could go down slides, splash around, and play with the geysers.  They loved it.  And there was even a lazy river for the adults to lounge in (though you must be over 43 inches to get in).  A water obstacle course also kept some of the older kids we saw busy, though none of us tried it.

My sister with the cutest pregnant belly ever!

Twins

They do take breaks every hour where all the kids are required to get out of the water for a few minutes.  This was helpful because it gave us an excuse to leave, otherwise Theo would have wanted to stay all day.  Their prices are basically $5-6.50 depending on age and time of visit, with seniors only $3 and infants less than 12 months free.  Our life is definitely going to get just a bit more expensive this week when Eli turns one and is no longer free for so many things!

Afterwards we did have an early birthday celebration for Eli.  Maci and Theo were very excited and enjoyed making cards for him, swinging, wearing party hats, and helping Eli blow out his candle.  It was a perfect Labor Day weekend.

Indiana Area Zoos

After last week's post, I knew I wanted to write a little something about the other zoos we visited this summer (and post photos).

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I am just drawn to zoos like a magnet.  Especially now with the kids.  While in Indiana this spring, awaiting our new housing situation, we visited:  the Fort Wayne Zoo (twice), the Indianapolis Zoo, and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Quick Facts:

Fort Wayne Zoo
Hours:  Daily, 9am-5pm
Admission Cost:  Adult:  $13.50, Child (2-14) $8.50, 1 and under free
Parking:  Free and abundant
Rides:  Sky Safari, Train Ride, River Ride, Carousel Ride:  all $2.00; Pony Rides:  $5
Extra Info:  Bring Quarters for duck food, $1 to feed the giraffe, $1 to feed the goats; Get a ride pass to save a little bit on the rides

Best zoo around.  Seriously.  Recent changes to the safari take away a little of the magic from childhood, but it is still a beautiful zoo.  Feeding the giraffes is a new thing to excite little ones. 

Zoo on the first day of Spring!

 Zoo toward the end of spring!

Indianapolis Zoo
Hours:  Mon-Thurs, 9-5pm; Fri-Sun, 9-7pm
Admission Cost:  Adult:  $16.95, Child:  $11.95(free if your awesome in-laws have a membership you can get in with)
Parking:  $6.00
Rides: feed a giraffe, carousel, train, and roller coaster all cost $2.50.  $5.00 for the 4D theater (or get a ride pass to save a little)
Extra Info:  Get your tickets online and save a few dollars a person.

Dolphin show is unique, not found in many zoos.  Touch tank in Oceans exhibit lets kids get up close and personal.

Lincoln Park Zoo
Hours:  Varies throughout the year, about 7am-6pm
Admission Cost:  FREE
Parking:  located at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive; anything over 30 minutes is $20 in the off-season, and $20-35 in the summer months
Rides:  Carousel tickets are $2.75, train tickets are $2.50
Extra Info:   Look into a membership to save on parking if you live close but not close enough

You can also stop at the free conservatory on your way in.  For being right in the middle of the city, this seemed to be a huge park.

 Eli's first time on a carousel!

Now and Then: Wabash Pool

June 2013

July 2012

And next year there will be another little one in the photo!

Ring Bearer, 2nd Time Around (3 1/4 years old)

Despite a rehearsal that looked like this...

A very long car ride leads to a grumpy boy in the evening.

Theo did a great job being a ring bearer for his second time in the last 11 months.  As long as he has a pretty girl to lead him around and tell him what to do he does fine.  And this time it only took two suckers to keep him quiet throughout the wedding ceremony.

He kind of loves the spotlight.  I'm not sure where he gets it from.

This time his job included carrying a very important box...

and wearing a sign.  The front said "Here comes the bride", and we switched it around to send him back down the aisl

e.

 As you can see, he enjoyed the evening.

Where did the girls go?

Found her.

All he talked about before the wedding was dancing with Chloe.

He even caught the garter... but he better not leave his mama for another woman for a long, long time.

Ring Bearer, 1st Time Around, (2 1/2 years old)

When I was writing the post for Theo's latest ring-bearer experience, I decided I should first post about his first one.

Last year, when I was 7 months pregnant, Theo was a ring bearer for his Aunt Emily at her outside wedding in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

He practiced pretty well...

but was surprised when the flower girl actually started throwing the petals during the wedding.

He made it to the front with no tears, yelling, or help.

It took a bag full of suckers and stickers to keep him quiet and occupied throughout the wedding service (my main worry for the day). 

Going back down the aisle after the ceremony.

 But it all went well and he had a great time spending the day on the farm.  And I especially enjoyed the rain that came and cooled us all down (having an end of summer baby made for a very hot season).