We spent about a month in America and it was incredible. The weather was perfect (if very very hot) and we found sooooo much to do! It was amazing how much there was that was new and interesting for everyone. Not only were both of my parents off work but we got to spend lots of time with my sister and her girls (as well as the two girls she was looking after for the summer) and my brother and other sister both made the trip to visit as well. I think it was a revelation to Finn that there were so many instant friends and people that he could be happy and comfortable around. It really was lovely. And I, of course, enjoyed having lots of help!! Especially during the jet lag time right after we arrived and the few days following where I was a bit ill (I had clearly caught whatever it was that Finn had right before we left). I really can't say enough about what a lovely time we had. I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to go and for so long. I was frightened of the flights but not only were they really not a problem at all (even with delays and troubles and a tight layover) and completely worth it for the joy of being home for so long.
Now, I mentioned we did A LOT of stuff. And I want to remember all of those memories. So I'm going to put up a LOT of photos. I've tried to pare down as much as I can but there are just too many happy thoughts that I want to get out there. So here they come - photo overload!
First up: Hanging out at home. We did a lot of playing and just having happy times at home. Here are some of the good times:
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| The heat combined with jet lag = out cold! |
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| Poor Orry was unwell with a fever... |
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| Finn and Grandpa made a rocket |
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| Orry loved the beads!! |
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| Turns out Orry LOOOOVES corn on the cob! |
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| Finn is doing yoga |
But we didn't spend ALL our time at home. We also went out a lot. First we travelled up to the College of Wooster to reunite with some of my favorite people in the world and reminisce, but not without the very important stop off to visit with my Grandparents (also two of my favourite people EVER).
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| Finn still asks when we get to go back to see "my friend Grayson" |
Then we got together with my sister and her girls (as well as her two extra girls) to try and beat the heat in a splash park - we definitely weren't the only ones with that idea! But Finn certainly had a great time with his cousins and was instantly one of the gang (which, if you know Finn, is a bit tricky to make happen!)
We joined them again for a trip to the Ohio Historical Museum. It is half a museum (including a full size house from the 50s that you could explore and snoop around!) and half a living history town that you can look in historical buildings and talk to people about their lives. Great fun all around!
My brother then came to hang out with us for the weekend and we went with him, his girlfriend Sarah and their dog to Dawes Arboretum. Dawes is where we got married and is one of my favourite places to visit. It always makes me happy to be there! Especially with a picnic on a lovely day with lovely people I've been missing!
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| This was our wedding spot!! |
Then Monday it was straight back into "what do we do with all these hot children!?" and off we went to a fountain in a shopping mall nearby.
We took a trip into Granville for lunch one day and Finn was a bit unhappy about it (he wanted to stay home and play) so we said that if he ate nicely then afterwards we could go look through the windows at the fire station. But then, when we got there, the doors were wide open and there was a play group on a trip getting a tour so Finn asked if he could look around as well. One of the firefighters took him around and showed him everything and then gave him a hat! Finn was over the moon!
We also got to spend time in Granville's library and its lovely children's section (though the books lost out to the big wooden train track and puppet theatre and play house corner etc.)
A few days later we drove out to my sister's house for lunch and a play in the garden - Finn loved the Jeep best of all!
And from there we all went to see some caves. It was pretty impressive (and nice to be underground where it was nice and cool...)
And after the caves we went back to Jaimie's house and Finn, Orry and I had a sleepover. Finn found this incredibly exciting! To calm down a bit, the three of them did some yoga.
The reason we stayed over was because the following day we were going to the zoo and there was no reason to make the trip out that way twice.
It was very very hot at the zoo but not near as bad as it could have been. We chose that day because it was meant to be the coolest. Funny that the coolest day in Ohio was the hottest day in London at around 90 F/32 C!!
Even with the heat though, the kids all really enjoyed the zoo. When we got ready in the morning, the girls all had matching pink shirts and this made Finn very jealous - he wanted to match too! Luckily there is no shortage of pink shirts to be found in Caitlin's wardrobe so we found one that Finn was happy enough to consider 'matching'.
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| Forget animals, the zoo had a TRAIN! |
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| And a BOAT! |
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| And a WAGON! |
After all that walking and heat we decided it was time for another water day. And off we went for a trip to the pool! It was Finn's first time in an outdoor pool and he thought it was quite a novel idea!
I quite liked taking my own kids somewhere that I remembered going as a kid myself. It's changed a bit but is still recognisable :)
And after working up an appetite it was time for some food. Finn decided on the 'piggy pancakes' which were very cute. Too cute. Finn didn't want to eat them and when we chopped them up he cried. In fact, as we left the restaurant we spent a fair amount of the ride home hearing the wail of "oooo! My piiiiiiggy paaaaaancaaaaakes!"
This time it was the girls' turn to sleep over at our house which happened a few times and Finn loved every minute of. The next morning was a Sunday and we decided to try a place that I had heard about because it sounded like it was right up Finn and Caitlin's alley - a train museum! It ended up being a really tiny place but really interesting. You could climb on and explore lots of old trains and even take a ride on one (which we did twice). A lovely day out.
And then it was time for one of the highlights of the whole trip. My sister and her husband came from St. Louis and my brother and his girlfriend came back from Pittsburgh and we ALL went camping! I had been looking forward to this since I booked the tickets to America and it didn't disappoint.
When it came to it I was a bit nervous what we were going to do because it had been so hot that you really didn't want to be outside... but what do you know but the weather broke just before we went camping and it was absolutely perfect balmy and warm but not over warm and just perfect. Lucky us! We stayed in my parent's caravan which is quite small and meant that Finn, Orry and I all shared one bed - but it worked out just fine and was quite cozy! In the mornings at the house, my Mum would take Orry so I could get a bit more sleep - this carried on at camp! Even though all they did was sit on Mom's bed and play with toys and eat Cheerios :)
That's basically what camping is though - doing what you would normally do but in a new and interesting way!
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| We played games! I was very good at them :) |
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| dancing |
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| mmm... Chicken salad |
They had a swimming pool
But they also had a lake!
And this lake had a WATERSLIDE!
I was so incredibly proud of Finn. He was brave enough to give it a go - and loved it! And went a few more times. This is a pretty big thing for our Finn.
And another part of the lake had paddleboats which Finn LOVED
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This is actually the only picture we have with ALL of us in it (sort of)! Jaimie is taking it while Mom, Orry and I are on the swing - Casey, Doug and Dad are on the grass looking out to the paddle boats driven by Chris and Dakota in one and Matt, Sarah, Caitlin and Finn in the other. What a group shot!
Two important things happened at camp. One was that Orry said his first word which was either "Get it" or "Got it" ie: "Geddid." This was one morning when we were playing in bed before the others woke up and he kept dropping a flashlight (torch) into a box and I would take it out - it took me quite a few times before I realised that he was saying the same thing each time. Drop it in, pull it out "Geddid" Very exciting!
The other important thing is the introduction of Yogi Bear. This was strangely a Yogi Bear themed campground
My sister got the three kids a stuffed Yogi Bear from the gift shop
That wouldn't be that remarkable except that Yogi Bear has since then become Finn's very special friend. He takes him with him all over the house and talks to him and sleeps with him and cuddles him. If he gets scared about something while we're away somewhere he will use Yogi Bear as an excuse (No we can't - we have to get home! Yogi Bear is frightened and I need to go cuddle him!). Finn has never been one to take to soft toys. He never had anything special that he really clung to. Which is why the Yogi Bear phenomenon is really odd! But there it is! Finn and his Yogi Bear...
We were only at camp for 4 days but they were packed full of so much fun and everything I hoped they would be. We were all glad to head home to our comfy beds again though. Although Orry couldn't really wait that long and concked out in the car on the way back. Like a dude.
Casey, Doug, Matt and Sarah stayed one more night at my parent's house before they went home and the following morning was one of those lovely loungy lazy hang out around the house days. We finally decided that we were going to DO something, and thought we would take a trip to see Roscoe Village (another historical village, but this one has a canal!). But just as we started to get moving a HUGE storm rolled in. It was a downpour of epic proportions and Finn wanted to go out in it. So we did. Many rain dances were had :) it was fun.
So we didn't make it to the canal. But a couple days later we had my nieces with me because my sister had to work. So they stayed with us for a couple nights. So we decided to try Roscoe Village again. And we got to take a ride on a proper horse drawn canal boat. It was slow and quiet and calm and I loved it. It really is nice to slow down every once in a while.
It was nearing the end of our trip but there were still two more places to visit. One was an ice cream factory where I have lots of fond memories! You can look in the window and watch the ice cream being made. We had lunch at the cafe, then played Pirates on the playground, then took a tour and got some ice cream.
And the last stop was again to visit with my Grandparent's - this time in a brand new park. It was a bit odd and built to incorporate an old factory that happened to be where my Grandpa worked back in the 50s. It was a really interesting park to explore but also it was lovely to hear my Grandpa reminiscing and recounting stories from his youth.
And that was it! One final meal out near the airport -
And we were off! On our way back to London. It was heartbreaking to leave. It always is. But because we spent so long there it was like we were settling in. We really did just make ourselves at home there and were part of the clan once more. So it was extra heard to break those ties and get on an airplane to take us far away. But regardless of the tears at the end it was worth it for the incredible memories we made and amazing times we had. I really will treasure it all for a long time to come.
