This week Eleanor and Henry jetted off with Mom and Lala to Kansas for a fun getaway with Mimi and Papa, as well as Grandma Geneva, Aunt Karren, Aunt Margret, Uncle Gene, and cousins Dennis, Denise, Caleb, Leah, Tara.
Thursday afternoon was spent with Grandma Geneva and her two dogs, Lady and Sugar. After running with the dogs in the yard and spying the neighborhood sheep, Henry wanted one of the dogs to play fetch with him, but none of the dogs brought back Henry’s stick that he threw. :)
Friday was spent at the Exploration Place with Lala, Mimi, Papa, and Mom. Henry’s favorite exhibit was the giant castle that he could climb around in and then shoot balls at the target using the catapult at the top level of the castle. Eleanor’s spent quite a bit of time in the “brain teasers” section, solving many of the puzzles but not quite figuring out how to make 10 separate Tetris-style block pieces fit together in a perfect cube. After lunch at a BBQ restaurant, they all headed to the park area behind Jennifer’s house (where they were staying) and did an obstacle course-type circuit, which was about a mile loop of winding track with challenges set every 100 yards. Henry had everyone laughing when he ran ahead and just sat with his hands behind his head. When we finally caught up and read the sign, it was a sit-up challenge, but since Henry can’t quite read, he just looked at the picture of the demonstration and sat still in that pose. Eleanor was able to do go across the monkey bar challenge all by herself on her first try! After the obstacle course, we went back and jumped on the trampoline at the house until it was time to head to Dennis and Denise’s house for Chinese dinner with everyone.
Saturday morning, they all headed over to Aunt Margaret’s and Uncle Gene’s house for a homemade breakfast with cousin Jim and his two eldest daughters, Alena and Emilie. Mom and Lala were deep in conversation for awhile, so Henry and Eleanor entertained themselves in the basement with ping pong, fooseball, and Lincoln Logs.
Both kiddos were super excited for sleepovers each night with either Mimi and Papa or with Lala, and also to teach them Too Many Monkeys and Rat-a-Tat Cat. Much thanks to Jennifer Armstrong and her girls for letting us stay at her house even though she was out of town!
The trip home was a little rough, they ended up having to stay an extra night, and then still had about a 4 hour delay in the morning. The kids were troopers though, and were in a good mood when they got home. Back to school tomorrow – it’s gonna be a bit of a shock after two weeks of fun!
