Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Woodlands "Stay"-cation

A local magazine, Space City Parent, had a contest a few months back for a "stay"-cation at The Woodlands Resort. You had to write an essay describing why your family should win. I basically described the last year in our house, and guess what?? We won! Last weekend we decided to use it.

Along with one-night stay, we also received a welcome cookie, four passes to their fabulous breakfast buffet, and a $50 gift card to a nearby shopping center.
I have checked out the website for their resort in the past because I had heard how great their pool was, and we definitely were not disappointed! There were 2 large pools, the perfect baby pool for Deacon, 2 water slides, and a splash pad.


Even better, during the summer there are tons of free poolside activities!!

Snocones:


Clowns:


Bennett was happy to just lounge by the pool.
After spending the afternoon soaking up the sun, we drove down the street to The Woodlands Mall for dinner and discovered their playground.
After dinner, we came back and roasted smores by the fire.
The boys had fun swinging on the giant beds too!
Bedtime was a little interesting, seeing as all five of us had to share a room. Deacon is used to sleeping by himself, so wasn't very interested in going to bed when he had an audience. By the time he finally crashed, Bennett was ready for a late-night snack. We eventually made it to sleep.


The next morning we enjoyed the breakfast buffet, which included a waffle and omelet station. We then went and packed up our stuff, loaded it in the car and went back to the pool.


Because it was Sunday and overcast we had most of the pool to ourselves. There was a dj with music and karaoke, a face painter, and balloon artist.
The balloon artists were amazing!! They went above and beyond the typical animals you would expect. Carson asked for a fish and this is what they made him:
After we were waterlogged, we got dressed to leave. Before heading home we stopped and spent our giftcard on lunch at Tommy Bahama's Cafe.


It was such a fun way to spend our weekend, we were so grateful for the opportunity to get away for a stress-free vacation and have a short 45 minute drive home!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Jellystone Park

A couple of weeks ago we had the most amazing little getaway at Jellystone Park! They hold tons of Halloween activities the entire month of October, and we have definitely found a new fall tradition! Even better, after a record breaking scorcher summer, this was the first weekend for the weather to cool off!





We arrived Friday evening, just in time for the dance.









Followed by a movie under the stars: The Adams Family




The next morning we woke up early, ready to explore!



The craft room was full of fun things to do: ceramics, coloring sheets, shirts to decorate, scavenger hunts, and guessing games.




One of my favorite places was the toddler room (right next door to the arcade), which was stocked with lots of sensory activities, perfect for any little one, but especially our Deacon or special needs children. Saying Deacon had a good time would be an understatement!













Carson's favorite hangout was the pool! They had waterslides, a large picnic basket that dumped water on the kids every few minutes, and a pool for basketball. They also had another pool by the putt-putt golf course that we didn't even have time to try.

















I would have loved to try this one, but our new addition kept me on the sidelines this year:






Later in the day they had magic pumpkin seed planting! Seeds were planted, Yogi waved his magic wand over the patch and a few hours later, the pumpkins were "grown!"






Then Carson named and painted our pumpkin, Charlie.






That evening was the costume contest, trick-or-treating at the cabins/rvs, hayride, and haunted house.






Could my kids be any more adorable!?!







Like any good mom, I of course felt my kids were robbed when they didn't win...












Our next morning ended with a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast! (Followed by a perfectly timed rainstorm!)