Weekend in the mountains...well sort of

We spent another wonderful weekend in Sevierville, Tn. Better known as Dollywood. Our resort was so nice though we barely left. It was almost 100 degrees and waiting on long ride lines was not where my kids wanted to be, so we opted for the pool at the resort. We had ice cream on the balcony and watched the beautiful sunset. Then watched the "city" lights come up. When the lady at check in said I could see the "city lights" from our room I kinda looked at her funny and said "you can see NYC from here?" (just kidding I stole that joke from my DH) But you know I will use it again if anyone ever says that to me in the Smokies again...apparently it is a big deal.

Tony and Alex played miniature golf in the blazing sun and got roasted while Ashley, Jeff and I were at the sprayground. Ashley and I snuck away to go to Walmart but got diverted by the GIANT Scrapbook Superstore right below our balcony! (See picture of strip mall) We also got a chance to go to the Disney Store outlet on Sunday. Then Tony didn't want to be trapped in a room with the kids so we had to go back.

Ashley thought the rides at Dollywood were lame. I wouldn't know, I hate rides. Alex loves them and so does Jeff. If it wasn't so darn hot I would have went on more with Jeff, but we only got to do the cars, bumble bees and piggies. He was happy with that. I suppose the big news was that we lost Alex. He decided to go on the River Rampage again without us. We turned around and he was gone. After searching frantically Tony found him on the ride again, in a raft, ALONE. Never mind that the height requirement is 48" to ride alone and he is only 47". The park attendants were a little suprised he got on the ride. He was already strapped in and "rolling down the river" by the time Tony saw him, so he let him ride and then whoop his ass. He was put on a leash from there on.

We survived yet another trip to the "most visited tourist area in the USA".
OH WAIT....I forgot to mention Alex lost his second tooth while we were there. It is a good thing the tooth fairy has a blackberry to get email.

A Day out with Thomas

Backyard Fun

Day 1 of Summer Break

Skool's Kool and so is the Pool

Yesterday we picked up my niece Ashley in Roanoke. We had lunch with Grandma Susan, Justin and Ashley at the Cracker Barrel. She was happy to be with us but I don't think she expected to start doing homework with Uncle Tony and the boys first thing when we walked in the door. She may actually go home smarter and be a whiz in the 6th grade next year.
We also created a blog for her to journal in (required activity in Tony's Summer School). We had fun creating the header for it (it is adorable IMO). I hope she finds it a fun way to document the summer and learns to enjoy journalling/writing. Now I just have to find a way to get her to read. Shockingly her school did not send home a required summer reading list. And I thought TN schools were bad.
We went to the pool this morning for a short visit. Our neighbor came with us and the kids had a lot of fun. Now I have to go start packing for our trip to Sevierville/Dollywood. Be back soon to blog about the last day of school...a little late but better than never.

My scraproom - sharing for a message board.

This is my mess of a scrap room right now. I tend to thrive in clutter. I wish I would have chosen a lighter shade of my "Kermit green" but I am not repainting until we move! Too much "sCrap" to contend with.