Spring Break

Well, it is Spring again or so the calendar says. I don't think anyone has mentioned it to mother nature yet. Here we are on March 28th and it is 42 degrees outside. I am sure it is worse where some of you are. Well we took a little trip to the lake this week and pretty much just hid from everyone. It was well needed to recharge the batteries after the last 9 weeks of sensory overload! The trip to China and all that entailed and then the readjustments to life and the newest member of our family have left us with a need to dump the files and reboot. So that is what we did.

We found a nice little condo next to one of the many lakes here in our fine state and then we sat back and did little. Luckily mother nature let us have a nice storm every evening and sunshine every morning. The cable was knocked out twice by the storms and the power once so watching T.V. during the storms was not always a choice. The rains left most things too muddy to go to when the sun was out so we did allot of driving around the country side looking at the mountains and the lakes and then a little bit of other things as the intermittent sunshine or overcast would allow.

I personally haven't slept as much as I did this week in years. It was very nice and well needed, I actually felt lethargic by the end of the week, which was my goal. Baelin and the girls had a blast. We let them wade around in the lake a few times after they broke us down with the constant barrage of telling us that they wanted to go to the lake. What they really wanted to do was to go swimming but the lake was still way too cold! Once we arrived at the lake and Baelin got her feet in the water it was all I could do to get her out of it again. She actually kept trying to go deeper and deeper but I would pull her back and she would get mad at me for not letting her try to swim.

One day we set off to the one and only sport I have ever been really good at....mini golf, or as the unprofessionals like to call it....Putt Putt. I love to play and my girls love the idea of playing but they never finish a game so therefore neither can I. What we do play is really comical to watch. Blaise likes to drop the ball next to the hole and bump it in while declaring real loud "I win, you loose!". Baxley actually starts where you are suppose to and gives it the great try, but she soon becomes frustrated, kicks the ball in and moves on to the next hole. I however take it a lot more seriously.

I always start by placing my ball on one of the three designated pre drilled tee holes where every great mini golfer has started from. Then I strategically line my ball up based upon the various trajectory paths the ball will take once I apply the appropriate amount of pressure and swing. A nice tap of the ball sends it on its way across the artificial turf into the rail that will change the angle of the next path as planned out prior to the initial swing in my ever calculating mind. Then over, in or under one of the many obstacles that have been placed on the set course to deter those not up to the skill level and to remind them of why their name will not be remembered in the annuls of mini golf. It is a thing of beauty to see the ball evade the dangers of the course and then roll ever so slightly toward the cup that has been placed in the ground. As it gets closer and closer you get that feeling of pride that sweeps over you because you know how totally awesome you truely are. The moment then arrives, just when all the stars have aligned and the angels are starting to sing your praises to the mini golf gods and you look onward just hoping that all the people there that day are awe struck and watching this thing of perfection....There! Right as the ball has finished it's treacherous journey, the hole in sight, you know nothing could change this destiny set before you!.....Wham!! a putter hits it the other way and a foot stomps it into oblivion, and that little familiar voice screams out once again..."I win, you loose!! Told ya!!" That is why I love the game.

We found some riding stables one day so we took the girls thinking we would all get to have some fun, but unfortunately they only had two horses left and were booked the rest of the day so I sent Mrs. Incredible and Blaise on one horse and Baxley on a horse by herself for an hour ride into the valley and back. Baelin and I went a kicked it in the car where I thought we would play and get to have some daughter and daddy bonding time. As soon as she sat down she fell asleep. So I sat quietly and waited for the girls to return , and low and behold as soon as they rode in, Baelin woke up.I think she did that on purpose, just to avoid my many lame and awkward attempts at making her laugh. She was probably sparing us both actually. We then headed back to have many more wondrous adventures and play time at the parks between storms and then headed back home.

Coming back home after a nice week of rest was actually the best part. As much as I like to travel and to see things, I like being home the best. My girls of course were not ready to be back and they talked me into taking them to see a movie that same evening. Me being the authority figure told them absolutely not! .........(Yeah, you all believed that right?).......I actually said "Which one?" and "Get in the truck." Because what I say, goes around here!

Baelin did great, she did not seem to even notice the great big screen, moving pictures, and loud noise behind her the entire time. All she cared about was the big tub of popcorn we were all holding and the large drink I had in my hand. She ended up eating her weight in popcorn and then dancing to the credits at the end, no fussing, and no running around. What more can you ask for from a 2 year old. Then off to the house (again) and to bed.

SO here I am at work (working hard by the way, can't you tell) writing to you all of the adventures in the life and times of the Incredibles. You all be safe out there! God Bless!