Staycation Part 3

Day 3 of the Staycation happened to fall on niece E's 10th birthday. She was excited about going to Kiddie Land and we were happy to have Kathy join us for our day there. We were there a few years back, but K was too young to remember. The weather was threatoning all day, but we only had a little sprinkle come down on us at lunch time. The rest of the day was great. Radio Disney broadcasted live and had various events such as dancing, trivia contests and give-a-ways.

Most of the rides were for the much younger set, too small for E & K. E is an adventurous rider K isn't much for big rides, but she did suggest going on the log ride, which shocked Kathy and I since she does not like big rides at all! After the ride was over, K was ok, but stated "I'm never going on that ride again". So Kathy asked her "Never?". K thought for a second and said "Well, maybe later on in life".

After the park we ate at the one of our recent favorite places, C C's Pizza. We were joined by a couple of family members and we sang a Happy Birthday to E.

So ended my Staycation. Enjoy some pictures from Day #3:

The famous Kiddie Land sign on the corner of First and North Avenues in Melrose Park, Illinois.


One time we passed by going to nearby Tritan college, and K asked "What's with that creepy kid sign?"

Kathy & E ready for the first ride of the day.


The bumper cars were fun.

An unfortunate name for a ride.

Hello down there! Can you find Kathy and E?

K and I enjoyed the Ferris Wheel.

K has been handling rides better lately.


She is starting to find the "little kid's" rides boring.


For whatever reason, the Dumbo ride was extremely poplular, and had one the longest lines in the park.



The mini-train ride is always relaxing.


But this ride was anything but relaxing. E and I went on it and I thought I was going to be sick! To quote my dear niece K "I'm NEVER going on that ride again!"

K making new friends.

Radio Disney provided some temporary tattoos.


Another nice ride.


Look out Scary Clown!

A spin on the Carolsel.




Open your eyes, it's not a scary ride!

The end of a great visit to Kiddie Land

BYE!

Hello Riddlers

I walk, but have no legs.
I sleep, but never dream.
You can rock me in a cradle, but I am not a baby
and I can go around the world faster than you can cross a room.
What am I?

Staycation - Part 2

After breakfast on day 2 of my Staycation, the girls were able to enjoy the waterpark for a little while. I sat high and dry doing a crossword puzzle (refer to part 1's Slide of Terror).

We then made our way to Naperville, where we went to Naper Settlement. This was my first trip there, the girls had visited on field trips. It's a 19th Century Historic Museum Village. People dressed in period costumes talked to visitors in buildings from the 1800's such as the Black Smith shop, post office, print shop etc. It was fun as well as educational.

That evening we had dinner at Old Country Buffet. It was their first time there, and they were amazed at all the food choices they had. E sampled some new stuff, but K stuck to what she knew. They both feasted at the dessert buffet, making some interesting creations.

Here are some pictures from our day at Naper Settlement:

There were many buildings to visit.

K smashing up the corn.

E gives it a try.

Kids worked hard in the olden days.

But there was always time for play and the old time toys were quite the hit.

Who need electonic gadgets?

Gathering up the wagons.

A pretend Thanksgiving feast.


Coming soon: Staycation Part 3

Staycation - Part 1

The new "buzz" word of the summer is STAYCATION. Here is how Wikipedia defines it:

A staycation (or stay-cation, or stacation) is a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. Staycations have achieved high popularity in current hard economic times in which unemployment levels and gas prices are high.

Common activities of a staycation include use of the backyard pool, visits to local parks and museums, and attendance at local festivals.

Last week I took a couple of days vacation and did a STAYCATION with my nieces. There are a lot of pictures, so I've broken things down into 3 parts, one for each day's activities.

The first day (Monday) we went to the Brookfield Zoo. I haven't been there in a few years, and there were some changes. No more Reptile House, they moved those creatures into three other houses. A new addition is Sharks at Stingray Bay, but we did not see it. (Niece K had gone there on a field trip and didn't recommend it.)

They charge extra for their special attractions and we opted for an upgraded ticket which allows you to choose three. We picked the dolphin show, the children's zoo and the safari ride.

The zoo was a pleasant experience. We had a beautiful weather day. It was a lot of walking, so I'm glad we saved the Safari Ride for the end of the day.

After a visit at my parent's home, we headed to a Holiday Inn in Elmhust where they had a water park. It was a nice little deal for a one night stay that included the park for 4 and kids ate free for dinner and breakfast at their restaurant. The room was nice, with a balcony overlooking the water park.

The girls loved the water park even though it was a bit small. I'm going to share my water park story, hoping it would be therapeutic to relive it. Being the unaquatic person that I am, I did enjoy some swimming and floated down the lazy river. Niece E talked me into trying the water slide, she loved it. I've never done one before and was a little afraid. But I've always been big on talking up "conquering your fears" to the girls, so I wanted to set a good example. The first slide ride was frightening, but it was on a tube and didn't feel too crazy.

Going down the second slide was the most physically frightening thing I have ever done! Niece E went first, and on her way down she yelled something up to me, but I couldn't hear her. I sat down at the top of what I now call the "SLIDE OF TERROR" and got up my courage to push myself into the unknown. I was without the comfort of sitting on a tube. Just me and the water and the darkness and the fast speed and the crazy winding, never ending ride. I thought I was going to meet my maker! After what seemed like an eternity, I was spilled into the water, getting submerged without expecting too, (glasses on) having the water shoot up my nose into my lunges. I emerged coughing and sputtering and must have been quite the site. Turns out E shouted up "PLUG YOUR NOSE!!". Sigh. At least I did it, conquered that water slide fear, restarted my heart and moved on to the safety of the lounge chairs, content in watching the girls at play. So go ahead, call me a land lover, that's what I am.

Here are some pictures from day 1:

We learned the zoo was opened in 1934.

The first wild animals I encounted.

It will be interesting to compare these photos to next year's.


Petting the goats named Diamond and Emerald at the Children's Zoo



Making new friends.


The dolphin show.




You oughta be an otter.

What a wonderful weather day, especially for the middle of August.

This polar bear seemed unhappy, he kept pacing.

But the brown bear had fun swimming on his back.

The elephant didn't have much to say.

The rhino seemed shy.

Beautiful bird.

What a fun day!

Dinner out is always an adventure.


The Water Park

Down the lazy river.


HI

K tried so hard to make a basket, she just didn't have the strength!

The dreaded SLIDE OF TERROR


Next up...Staycation part 2.