Ohio Wilsons: August 2008

The other day my big goal for the day was to get the kitchen floor clean. It was one of those chores that was way past needing to be done and I just wanted to get it done and move on. Monica is my buddy who likes to do just about everything I'm doing and this day it was the floor. I have to back up a little here and tell you that she loves to listen to "church songs" (primary songs) and had asked me to turn them on that morning. We were sweeping and singing. Now it was time to mop and she insisted that she do it herself. I was beginning to get a little frustrated because by now I just wanted to hurry and finish, but then the song "How will they know?" came on. As I listened to "How will they know unless we teach them so" I realized that I could take some time and just let her help me and in the process I learned that I need to teach her not only how to clean a floor but how to help and how to have fun spending time together. So, I pushed away my frustration and got the camera instead and enjoyed the time it took to finally get my floor clean.

With Megan being only four months old, this summer we decided to have a stay-cation and do something fun close to home. At the beginning of August, we went down to Louisville to visit the Louisville Slugger Baseball Museum and go to Six Flags. For those that think baseball is boring, attending the museum will not cure that, but it was interesting to see how baseball bats were made and get to hold the real bats of some Major League Baseball players. We learned that there really is a sweet spot on the bat, and if you pay attention to hitters, you'll see them position their bats so that when they swing there is a better chance that the ball will hit it.

We also got to see a display of baseballs with presidents' signatures, watch a short movie on the game of baseball and see just how fast a 90 mph fastball from Greg Maddux really is. The kids got a free small bat, which made the entire trip worth it, and we also got a bat with the kids names engraved on it. We imagine once Cameron and Trey start to use it for backyard baseball games, the names will not last very long.

After the museum, we went to our hotel, which just happened to have a 9-hole miniature golf course, and indoor and outdoor pools. When asked after our vacation what was the funnest part, Trey said the golf course. Guess next year, we'll just stay in Cincinnati and do a miniature golf tour.

Anyway, the next day, we went to Six Flags and spent the majority of the day at the water park, which had a huge wave pool, tube rides, and water playlands. For the most part, everyone had a good time, and Megan was a real trooper.

After a long day of swimming, we decided to close the park by riding some rides. The kids loved the skyscraper ferris wheel, and I was able to convince Cameron to go on a short one-loop roller coaster. Rachael and I were a little surprised that when we started to go get in line Treyton also decided he wanted to ride. He just happened to be two-inches taller than the minimum height required. While he was tall enough, I envisioned him slipping through the seat belt as we went upside down. Putting fears aside, we all got on, Cameron riding with Trey and me behind them.

Cameron was a little nervous, Trey was excited. As we started to take off, I saw Trey and Cameron look at each other screaming... when we hit the loop, both got real quiet... Fortunately, Trey did not fall out, but as we hit the end of the track and started heading backwards to hit the loop again, I could sense a little more worry. As we finally came to a stop, both again looked at each other screaming. Walking back to mom, a little more wobbly then before the ride, Cameron and Trey were both in shock that they had actually done it. We were even more surprised when Trey wanted to do it again.

After a few kids rides and bumper cars, we finished the night at Sonic enjoying cherry limeades and of course, chicken nuggets.

The next day we spent a few hours at another water park. This one was actually right next to our hotel. Rachael and I spent about two hours alternating riding inner tube and body tube rides with Cameron while the other kids played in a kids pool with smaller slides. Cameron could have gone all day.

Needless to say, we had a good time, and the fact that we did not have to go very far - 2 hours from home - made the trip even better. It was a stress-free trip, albeit quick and tiring.