The Wilderness Resort and February Happenings

Wilderness Resort:

We just returned from a 3 day mini vacation to the Wilderness Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. Water parks are not everyone's cup of tea (including my trooper of a husband), but I LOVE doing a summer activity in the middle of winter. There's nothing like jumping in a wave pool while it's snowing outside. As chance would have it, Bloomington temps were in the high 60's while we were gone, but we had fun nonetheless.

I'll give full commentary of our trip in case anyone thinks this life of homeschoolers gallivanting through Wisconsin in the middle of the week, eating funnel cakes the size of our heads is all rainbows and sunshine. It was fun and I'll always choose an adventure with my family over almost anything, but having a 3 year old, 5 year old, 7 year old, and a pair of 30 somethings can sometimes have it's mishaps.

The Dells are a little over 3 hours from us and the car ride to any destination is always the longest.

This is our third year doing a winter water park trip, so we had a few tricks up our sleeves. We had lunch in the car and swimsuits in an easily accessible bag so we could jump right into fun when we got there. Check in wasn't until 4:00, so we were able to enjoy the water first thing!

The last two years we have done the Great Wolf Lodge, but this year we thought something bigger and cleaner (albeit pricier) was the way to go. We actually had been to the Wilderness when Isla was a baby (see picture below), but we had forgotten the one downfall of the place... you have to walk a mile to get anywhere. And although they boast FOUR indoor water parks, they fail to mention the parks are about as spread out as they can possibly be. So there was a lot of map reading, walking, grumbling, and frustration.

(baby Isla at the Wilderness in 2019... having a great time, as you can see)

All that walking and frustration, mixed with some low blood sugars (mainly myself) put us off to a bumpy start. But when we finally got our room, it was nothing a full sized pizza couldn't fix ;)

Bellies full and car unloaded, we headed to the climbing gym and arcade. What a fun way to spend a lot of money ;) Although, those resort-smarties put beer on tap and icecream right next to the jungle gym, so we all had a great time. Parents relaxed and kids burned energy!

A little show before bed and that was the end of day 1.

One of the draws to the Wilderness was having a mini apartment as a hotel room. So we made breakfast and lunch the whole trip. Quick breakfast and then it was off to the duck races!

At the lazy river, you can enter a little duck into the Ken-ducky Derby (get it?) for a chance to win a prize. We didn't win, but the kids loved it anyway.

Then we checked out the wave pool and big slides (after walking another mile, of course).

Eleanor had a hard time understanding why she couldn't go on the big slides or in the hot tub or eat ALL the icecream. So while taking a little break (from tantrums), this photo shoot ensued. She sure is our spicy, feisty three year old! A big personality in a little body.

In the afternoon we were waterlogged, so we headed to the arcade again. We rode go-karts, played games, watched an interactive show (complete with seat belts!), and picked out treats. They really think of everything at these places.

We headed off campus for dinner at a Lego/Star Wars/woodsy/interactive restaurant where our food was delivered by train!

Then it was treat time and off to bed!

We finally arrived to day 3 where we swam some more! There were also more tears and probably low blood sugar. Michael grabbed us a HUGE funnel cake and that fixed everything :)

There was more Eleanor crying and me sitting there waiting for it to subside...

Note the sudden change in attitude... like mother, like daughter...

We finished with a late lunch before heading home. Everyone was asleep within minutes!

Jokes/frustrations/tears aside, it was a really good time and the kids had SO much fun! What a privilege it is to take a trip like this as a family. I love the time spent making memories and the reset it gave our family. And now I'm looking forward to the next mini trip!

Other February Happenings:

When we aren't doing fun things like a water park, we are busy at home doing all the winter things. Winter is not easy for me, especially the older I get (hence the trip to the Dells). But I think we've managed to fill it with some good living along the way. Here is everything that happened in February so far:

When it's so cold outside, you're getting on each other's nerves, and you're cooped up... the solution in our family is to go on a hike! We checked out a (new to us) spot for a fun winter hike, shivers and all.

Another great way to spend a cold day is playing games and doing puzzles with friends. I also had book club this month with some of my mama friends. We sure are blessed to have such good people in our life.

School this month has had a focus on paper crafts. We spent two weeks trying out different paper techniques like papier-mache, origami, pop out cards, and stamping. Isla even made her own stamps with potatoes!

We have had a focus on paper in co-op too. We spent time at the library in a story time all about the post office, then we walked across the street to tour the post office! The kids sent out letters and also received letters from their moms. It was really sweet to read the letters and see their faces light up with a love letter from mom.

The next co-op event was our Valentine's Day party. The kids made boxes before hand (a bird cage and a truck) and put a valentine in everyone's box. They had snack and crafts and then finished with an awards ceremony. It was another opportunity for the kids to feel loved and special.

We had our own family celebration on Valentine's Day. It's become a little tradition to make a pasta dinner and share all the things we love about each other. Of course, heart foods were had too :)