sister cities park

I am determined this summer to find new playgrounds and activities! I'm hoping every week to post about a new adventure we have explored. I keep hearing about Sister Cities Park and how amazing it is now. I'm a little terrified driving and parking in the city. I'd much rather take public transportation. It was so easy in Boston to do that but in Philly, I'm a little lost. 

Last week, I put on my big girl pants and we took a trip to Sister Cities Park...alone! Parking was fairly easy. We parked a block away by the library with 2 hour meters that takes cards. When we were leaving I realized the meters on Vine st are 3 hours and also take cards. The street is small but doesn't seem to be used much. I noticed parking spots the whole time we were there.

There are so many things to do at this park. A wading pool, a stream coming down rocks that you can climb and send boats down (boats and other toys are for rent and I think sale too), a spray fountain for the kids to run through, a cafe that we didn't get a chance to check out, and even a little library cart full of different age group books. After playing for awhile, we sat with our lunch under a tree and read a ton of books.

Elinor picking out the next book

I suggest bringing water shoes if you have them. The rocks are smooth but they are bumpy. Also the walkway in the sun are HOT!

It was the first time we found a place that didn't make me wish for a Boston playground. I have missed all the splash pads there! We will be going back and hope to see you there too!

Great Wolf Lodge

My brother had a great idea to plan a night at Great Wolf Lodge while we were all in town. We planned it on my birthday. I haven't had that much fun on my birthday ever! We got there around 2 that afternoon for check in. While I was walking up to meet my sister in law and niece, my parents jumped out from around the corner and surprised us! They had lied to me saying they were going to be in Tennessee that day.

oh my family...we are the worst at taking pictures together. No one wants to stand still for more than a second. Poor Dave didn't even make it.

We all checked into our rooms and got our "mama and baby soups" on right away. Our room there was awesome by the way. There was a little cut out with a bunkbed and tv/games for the kids. There also was a sitting area and a king size bed. That night when Elinor fell asleep in the kid nook, everyone came back over to our room to hangout and eat birthday cake that my sister had brought me. Elinor slept the whole time on the bottom bunk until 7am! I wish all hotel rooms had little kid sleeping areas.

Elinor sleeping in the wolf den

There was so much to do there. I thought it was just about swimming, but there is also blacklight mini golfing (which Elinor thought was Poo's house), a huge arcade game room, an interactive sing along/story time before bed, a magic quest game throughout the whole lodge and even bowling.

I don't like to swim too much and with Elinor being little I didn't know how much there would be for us to do at the pool. I was surprised to see she was able to go in all the pools and even a few small water slides. There were two huge shallow (1.5 feet deep) kiddie pools, a huge splash area for little ones and even a huge wave pool.   The wave pool she wasn't too sure of at first but ended up really liking standing at the shallow end trying to jump over waves. Also there was a lazy river was a lot of fun too. The water slides looked wild! There were roller coaster ones, one that went outside the building and even one that drained you down a hole in the middle like a big sink. Dave never goes on stuff like that, but my brother convinced him to go on them with him.   He kept talking about them and almost had me convinced to try. Maybe next time.

I didn't realize that even though check out is in the morning, you can stay until the pool closes. We had things to do the next day but we were able to get in some swimming and playing in the lobby till around 2. I will make sure to remember this for next time.

I've read tips about going here before but I didn't take them all in. There are restaurants and even a Starbucks in the lobby so we never had to leave. Sometimes it can obviously be difficult to find vegan options while we are out, especially in Ohio. One of the restaurants offered a Gardein burger which is our favorite kind and a hummus plate.

Have you ever been to a Great Wolf Lodge?

Davis Farm

Wow I am so behind! I have so many pictures/videos I need to post.

Last Monday we took all the kids to the farm. It is so much fun bringing the babies places now since Henri can crawl and Elinor can sit. I felt guilty before bringing Dorie places and keeping them in the stroller the whole time. Davis farm is amazing! I was waiting with the stroller outside a gated area the Dave and Dorie went into, a worker came over and told me I can go in any area with the stroller. They are all so helpful and friendly there.

 Dorie had to paint Elinor and Henri's face too of course

 Ellie was in the front seat until this cow bit her toe. She didn't cry but when she saw him again afterwards she cried so her and Henri switched spots

 They were trying to find our snacks

 My favorite!

Oh yea and there is a waterpark and playground there