Pressing the Pause Button to enjoy my family

This photo didn't make it onto my Facebook Timeline, it was a mistake and I didn't even know I took it until I uploaded my photos today!  It's my leg and foot inside a bumper boat; I must have been talking when I snapped the photo!  Or maybe trying to blast one of the kids or John with water!

John had this week off from work, and it has gone by so fast.   The three oldest of our young men have jobs, so it was hit or miss on whether any of them could participate in any of our jaunts.  Maria's social calendar leaves little time for all day adventures with 'Mom and Dad', but we have managed to lasso her in for a few things, thankfully. 

 The circumstances of raising a family present many challenges.  Rarely do we ever feel completely satisfied with the way things work out.  But, with that said, we have had tons of fun!  When we had a houseful of little kids and babies, our life was pretty much wrapped up in schedules, naptimes, feedings, bathtimes, bedtimes, etc.  Going anywhere was hindered by the ever present diaper bag, stroller, and all the accompanying paraphernalia require when you have kids. 

There is a small window of time when they all reach school age, and you can ditch the strollers, and skip a few naptimes with little repurcussions.  That lasts for a short time, and then the older kids become socially involved, dating, scheduled, etc., and that starts a whole new phase of challenges.

We're currently in a stage where our eldest children are young adults, but still live at home and participate in family time when they can.  Our three youngest are still in school, but growing more independent with each passing day. 

But, anyway, let's get back to THIS vacation.  A favorite moment--so simple, yet, a chance to laugh and bond--was when Billy Joel's Piano Man began to play on the radio, and we all started swaying and singing along to the catchy tune.  That's the kind of stuff I will always cherish, and think my kids will, too.

This time we didn't want to go anywhere that would require an overnight stay.  We did that in June, and it wasn't cheap.  For a family our size, a hotel stay always requires two rooms or a family suite, so it costs a good chunk of change.  Add into that the cost of eating out (which we generally like to do once in awhile while we're out of town) times eight.  If we go to a sit down restaurant, add in a tip!  It causes a rather large dent in our wallet.

So, we've been taking day trips this week.  One day, we stayed in the valley and went to the movies.  The next day, we went to a family recreation center and raced go carts, rode bumper boats, and played 18 holes of miniature golf.  On the way back home, we stopped at Playthings, Etc., a unique toy store that offers kids of all ages a fun experience.  We usually pay this store a trip once a year.  Every time we go, they have all sorts of new and interesting things to look at.  This is one store where the patrons are encouraged to touch and try out the toys.

Therese was quite taken with a bike that looked rather like a unicyle, only it had three wheels.  There was no steering apparatus, no handle bars.  The only way to steer was by leaning her body off to the side, and turning with her hips.

She also found a plastic 'bowl', shaped perfectly for one's 'bottom'.  She plopped herself down into it, and began to spin like a top.  I would've tried it, but was a little self conscious about that, so I refrained from doing so.  Haha.

Yesterday we went on a shopping excursion at Boardman, Ohio.  The large Southern Park Mall offers lots of shops and stores, food and other enjoyable places.  I miss Jillians, though, an entertainment complex that we used to visit whenever we made the trip over in the past.  We could bowl there in a retro 50's style bowling alley, complete with waitresses and even a bar.  It was a classy and fun place, with a huge game room, too.  Sadly, they closed down awhile back.

We had lunch at Chik Fil A--not trying to make a call on any political issues, just LOVE the food there.  We only get to eat there once every year or so, although we did have some of that delicious chicken in June, when were at Splash Lagoon.  I do, of course, feel proud to eat at a restaurant that holds Christian values, and do not offer any apologies for patronizing them!

Therese is the little shopper of the Elliott family: she loves to shop--to look at pretty and girly things.  When she spotted Justice, that was the start of a female frenzy!  We noted that there were racks and bins of all kinds of sale items, and we went a lil crazy!  She walked out of there with a bag full of stuff--clothes, a swimsuit, sunglasses, lip balm!  But, we saved over a hundred dollars!  I couldn't pass up a sale like that!

I found a book on Jack the Ripper at a bookstore, and have just started reading it.  I enjoy reading on my Kindle Fire, but there's just nothing like holding a real book in your hands.

This morning, we got up early, packed some food and drinks, piled comic books(for the kiddos) into the van, and took off for Erie.  Erie has always been one of my favorite cities.  I have been visiting it every summer since I was a baby... summer just wouldn't be summer without Erie.

We've been planning this trip for today for awhile now, and the weather for most of the summer has been sunny, hot, and little rain.  Wouldn't you know today the sky was dark, brooding, and heavy with pregnant clouds?  But, we took off and made the best of it.  When we arrived at Presque Isle, the sky looked ready to blast us with a pelting rain, but it kept itself in check!  We ate our little picnic there, and played on the beach.

We left there and went to Waldameer Park, right next to Presque Isle, overlooking Lake Erie.  The threat of rain kept people away, so we were able to get onto the rides with little or no lines!  Now, that I liked!  Mother Nature was so kind; she only shed a few wayward tears on us, off and on throughout the afternoon, and finally, the clouds lifted, and we were greeted by the sun and blue skies. 

We soared on swings above the lake.  We plunged down huge hills into rivers of raging rapids.  We went through scary fun houses, and mimicked paratroopers.  While everyone else rode the spinny roller coaster (I didn't want to go on that), I treated myself to a cool Dip N Dots cookies and cream ice cream cup.  Sitting in the shade, eating my delicacy, I rested my legs for a few minutes, and enjoyed watching my loved ones on the whirling ride.

After a long and exhausting day, we headed back to the van to have a little snack, some sandwiches, and cold drinks.  John and I have a little tradition: every time we go to Presque Isle or Waldameer, we grab a hot cup of coffee from the McDonald's on Penninsula Drive to keep us alert and awake for the drive back home.

So, staying true to our traditions, we went thru the Drive Thru, and headed back to home sweet home.  As we left sunny Erie, we noticed lightning on a dark horizon.  All the way home, it rained heavily as we sipped our steaming cups of caffeine.  I love taking time to pause life's hectic pace and make memories with John and the kids!

We still have a few more days to do more exploring, so we'll see what tomorrow holds! 

HugsxxxAnnie