U.S. National Whitewater Center

We spent Friday of spring break at the US National Whitewater Center.  It was the mine and the kids first time at the Whitewater Center.  Rich has a pass so he was our guide.  We were lucky that our friend, Alex, joined us out there.  He is like part of our family so the kids loved having him.

 Rock climbing was our first stop.  Terefech made it to the top on the all the easy and medium climbs.  Alex was a little worried that when she got to the hard climbs she was just going to zip to the top.  It had taken him many times to get to the top.  She didn't but worked hard at.  Declan was a champ.  He didn't make it to the top but he tried all the different climbs over and over.

 We moved on to the Mega jump and the Mega zip.  The kids couldn't do the Mega zip so they were headed for the Mega jump.  Basically you are hooked up and jump straight off a 2 story platform and glide to the ground.  They both were awesome.  Terefech even said she was nervous Declan wouldn't like it.  He loved it and ended up doing it 2 more times that day.  He surprised us all with all the things he tried.  Usually he is afraid of doing "scary" things but he was wild about almost everything!  The Mega zip was incredible.  You zip across the entire center including the whitewater rafting.  It was fun to go right over a raft while heading down the line!

 Climb 2 Zip is where you climb a rope net up about 2 stories to zip down.  Once again, Declan was a real champ.  I was terrified as I got to the top.  The platform was swinging and we were up high.  Declan jumped off as soon as the guy said go, I was a little slower.  A ton of fun.  

 Terefech loved the rope courses.  She did three of them with Alex.  I did one and then took the photographer option and stayed on the ground!  Declan tried the first one and then decided flatwater kayaking was more his speed.  Terefech was a rock star.  I was amazed at how she just climbed, glided, and stepped over these rope elements with no hesitation.

 And it was the US Olympic Whitewater Trials so there were lots of people and lots of events to watch while we were out there.  It was a great family event, we will be back many times!

Cleveland Art Museum and coming home

The kids were so looking forward to going to the Art Museum.  They do an artist study at school and wanted to see their actual art works.

Had to take a picture of the frog goddess for Uncle E.

One of Declan's favorite paintings.  It was displayed with a painting of the inside of the Pantheon.  Supposed to make you think....

 The kids really liked the armor room.

One of Declan's favorite paintings in terms of a painting that is of an actual thing.  He is really of fan of abstract art.

 The kids study Monet in kindergarten are reproduce Water Lilies.  So cool to see the real thing or at least part of it.  Declan wanted to get up close to the signature.

VanGogh

Seurat

We went to the art museum with my friend Dennis...picture taken by Declan at lunch.  Both Declan and Dennis were disappointed that the contemporary section of the museum was closed for renovation. No Jackson Pollock.

Here we are on our ride home.  Don't those seats look luxurious?  That is because we were in first class.  Our flight was delayed and most of the passengers were moved off the flight because they were going to miss their connection.  With only 7 of us on the flight, they put us all in first class.  The kids thought this was incredible!

 Picture with our singing flight attendant!

In the cockpit.  They were besides themselves with excitement.  We knew Daddy was going to be sad he missed it.

Great ending to a fun trip to Cleveland.  Back to warm weather.

Visiting Uncle E

Nothing to do with Uncle E.  The kids loved playing with my parents' dog.  Declan said it was one of the best parts of the trip.  Just note Declan's clothing...he is usually not cold!

We spent much of the day visiting Uncle E, Aunt Kristi and cousin Greyson.  Isn't he cute?

 Cousin Connor and Declan taking a dip in the hot tub.

 Greyson gave up big giggles for Declan's game of peekaboo.

Next day

 We hung out at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center as you can see.  Lots of critters.  Declan was happy to confirm that he has seen a copperhead in our part of the world.

 If you haven't read Eats, Shoots and Leaves (either in the adult or kid form) it is a great book on the use of the comma. Declan found a sign that was not punctuated appropriately!

Here we are at Malley's, a long time chocolate store as well as yummy ice cream concoctions!

Here we are at Malley's again that day with the whole family!

 We seem to always sit back in Alice's Wonderland.  The kids love that we sit in the same place each time we go.  And, we have read Alice so they think it is fun to know who all the creatures are on the wall.  The fudge sauce is sooooo good, too!