Family Vacation 2013 -- Day 2 (Attractions)

We slept in a tad on Day 2. And of course the first thing on the kids' list was to go swimming. We did. Our condo was over Gatlinburg (below, the sun was breaking through the clouds right above downtown Gatlinburg.) Then, since it was our first full day in the Smoky Mountains, we decided to explore Gatlinburg and to make a trip to the store in Pigeon Forge, which resulted in a big afternoon playing at MagiQuest. If you haven't been to this area, note that the parkway in Pigeon Forge is lined with attractions begging for people to stop. The structures and visuals are quite amazing. Choosing a few of the hundreds of things throughout our week (using coupons, of course) seemed to be a good compromise with the kids.

Blacklight Pirate Golf was fun. Vanessa got two hole-in-ones! Zane enjoyed climbing all over the course. The Vault was a little too scary for Vanessa. The rest of us had fun trying it. The Mirror Maze was awesome! (Except when Zane slammed into one mirror -- no running!) We were truly confused and lost in the maze for a moment. The MagiQuest game is a neat concept but a little much for a five-year-old and two-year-old to complete successfully. Even so, the kids loved using their magic wands to open things and to make things light up and talk.

It was a great day before a day of long and strenuous hiking.

Family Vacation 2013 -- Day 1 (Arrival)

10 days ago we headed down to Gatlinburg, TN for our 2013 family vacation. We left in a relaxed fashion after Vanessa's theatre class, but we were excited to get there. On the way down, Zane napped a little and Vanessa tried but there was too much to do and too much to anticipate. It rained during the drive but we were treated to a rainbow which seemed to be pointing us toward our destination. We arrived in the dark and we were sort of clueless as to where we were going as we drove up the mountain. The kids fell asleep on the way up, so once we got to our condo, we stayed in the car while Daddy checked in. We waited for what seemed like forever, so I got out of the van to get a feel for what was happening. As I stepped toward the front of the van I caught a glimpse of Adam waving for me to get back in the van while he pointed to three black bears, just feet from the entrance to our condo. We were convinced then that our time in Gatlinburg would be extra exciting. With over 800 pictures and so much crammed into 7 days, we'll share our adventure by days. Some posts may have WAY more pictures than others but we will only squeeze in a fraction of the total. And take note of the folded towels on our bed -- Vanessa thought it was the greatest "origami".

Although not exactly planned, it is neat to think we made a trip to an area rich with American history, just before the Memorial Day weekend, when we honor all who have fought for our freedom and equal rights. We feel extra blessed and thankful to be part of an era with the new South and not the old.

I liked this item included in a list of stereotypes about the South:
"Southerners are not inherently dumber or more backward than anyone else. Remember, there are also states up North where you can marry that attractive first cousin."
And for more fun, read etiquette for Northerners.

It was truly awesome to discover the genuine intelligence, kindness, warmth and love of Southerners.

Out of This World

The teachers were concerned she was the only girl in a class with all boys. They didn't share their concern until the last day when they shared how impressed they were that she can hold her own and hang with the boys. Vanessa was excited for the class. She was nervous about playing an alien but she did really well. We're working on making her performances out of this world.

Grasping

In the beginning of the story a boy and a girl and a woman were playing and working around a hog named Gilbert. Throughout their time, and without noticing the other, each one fed Gilbert for the day. Vanessa takes it upon herself to tell how the story is going. When reading this story, she queries aloud after each of them realize they have fed Gilbert and Gilbert ate it all before becoming satisfied and napping, "Uh-oh. Will they be in trouble?" After reading the ending and realizing that each one had good intentions for feeding Gilbert, Vanessa commented, "It's all okay. They all know to check with each other next time. Gilbert's belly must be full. He's sleeping with a full belly because he ate so much." [chuckle] "That's hilarious."

Zaniness in the Zoo

I feel so extremely blessed to be able to take my kids to the zoo whenever I feel like it. Vanessa and I enjoyed impromptu visits. Now Zane and I do. We go for an hour or two here and there, focusing on just an aspect or two.

When I asked Zane recently what he wanted to see at the zoo, he said "Moos and Mice, please." He wanted to see cows and mice. I asked him what else he would like to see. He said "Monkeys and fishies."

Here Zane and the toddler bonobos played hide-and-seek. I wasn't quick with the pictures because I was so lost in the moment and the sweetness of their play. They hugged and placed hands to hands on the glass. Their interactions brought a lot of awwing. One of the toddler bonobos seemed obsessed with Zane's hair. I couldn't help but wonder if he thought Zane might have something interesting hidden in his hair.

Zane climbed statues and asked that I take his picture. Of course that was after he checked to be sure if they were alive or not.

Zane found the okapi's tongue to be hysterical. We laughed and laughed as the okapi used his tongue to grab leaves from the tree.

Zane is very much into observing the animals. He runs from one viewing spot to the next.

How Zany is this?! The Dinosaur Island exhibit was to open on May 17. Zane was having fun pretending to drive the play safari cars. He was enjoying it so much that he caught the eye of THE Jack Hanna. Of course he wouldn't walk up to him and he wondered why I was trying to get him to walk up to some strange man. One day he'll appreciate the zaniness of the moment.

And we didn't go to the zoo to see regular cows, but we did hunt for "sea cows!"

 

The penguins provided a lesson in having patience when lining up to go in. It didn't seem like anyone was waiting at the door for them, but they were obviously ready to go in.

 

We can hardly wait for our next Zany visit!