Lake Erie ROCKS!

I mentioned in my last posting that our family brought home LOTS of rocks from our recent trip to Lake Erie. They are currently living in random buckets, jars and boxes all around the garage and back yard. I find them sorted by size, soaking in tubs of water and even stacked in little towers that I imagine some passing druids have left on my patio.

All of the rock-collecting blame can't rest on the kids alone, though. I did my fair share of rock gathering on vacation. Aidan is really interested in spelling words lately so I decided to make the kids a set of alphabet rocks based on a tutorial I saw that used rub-on letters. I gathered a big bucket of small smooth stones of various shapes and sizes. We had lots of leftover paint from a rock-painting project so I just decided to paint my letters. (Also, there was not a Joann's in site.)

I made a set for each of them and they turned out pretty cute. The kids seemed to like them and played with them a good bit during the last few days of vacation. They are currently living in a bowl on the dining room table. They are a great reminder of our recent vacation and awesome pre-dinner entertainment for everyone!

A Week at the Lake

We just returned home from a fun-filled week at Lake Erie with some great memories and enough beach rocks to last a lifetime. My parents rented an awesome cottage just a few doors down from my aunt and uncle's cottage. It was a perfect, low-key vacation and just what everyone needed.

Addie was a total beach bum and spent her days collecting teeny tiny seashells, riding her tricycle and working on her chalk art.

Aidan was obsessed with collecting "beach glass" and had us on the beach three times a day looking for more. He also got to try some go-carts and bumper boats with Matt and my dad.

Annalise did what she does best...

Matt and I visited Debonne Vineyards, one of our favorite wineries, and stocked up for the year. We also got in some great evening bike rides and a dinner date at our new favorite restaurant, Hil-Mak's.

Everyone had a great time hanging out in Geneva on the Lake. We did some mini-golfing at the oldest mini golf course in continuous operation in America and got in a few rounds of Fascination. Matt took the kids on their first ferris wheel ride and we ate LOTS and LOTS of ice cream.

Something to Crow About

Every year, for as long as I can remember, we have ended summer with the Canfield Fair. Five years of living in Michigan has not changed that tradition. Our hometown fair is one of the largest county fairs in the country; and, in my opinion, the best! It is six days of fun, friends and fried food.

This year was one of the best we've had. We went to the fair for four full days. The kids did remarkably well considering they were tired and full of corn dogs and giant lemonades most of the time. We tried to check out different things each day to keep things interesting.

Our first stop, on the first day, was MACHINERY! Aidan had been talking about seeing the old machines for an entire year. We spent hours and hours looking at old steam engines, tractors and other assorted farm equipment. I thought he'd get his fill the first day. I was wrong. I think we spent more time in that area during the week than I have in my entire life.

We also spent some time playing GAMES the first day. I'm not usually one to waste money on dumb stuff (unless it's for me); but, the games were reasonable and the operators were really nice to the kids. Everyone got a prize. Adelaide even got to take home her duck. It might have had something to do with her reaction when she found out that she was supposed to trade it in for a prize.

The second day was all about RIDES! I can't believe my child would even get on one. I also can't believe that I've become a mother that happily straps my firstborn son into a rusty old contraption assembled by teenagers that will fling him through space. Adelaide has mellowed me.

I thought the ride operators were all exceptionally kind to the kids. I suppose I held certain preconceived notions about "carnies"; but, these ones really changed my mind. So... to you, Crazy Bus operator and all of your coworkers, I say, "Thank you! You're doing an awesome job!" (Just not you, Tubs of Fun lady, you were kinda cranky).

We spent most of the third day talking with old friends and hiding out in the grandstand from the rain. We also used the time to browse the animal barns and check out all the cute peeps. (Not Youngstown slang -look how cute they are!)

Our last day was big fun, too. We gave each and every machine and tractor one more thorough investigation. We played a few more games, ate our last round of yummy fair food, oh...and bought THREE chickens. (MUCH more to follow on that...)