Long Weekend indeed

The opening of Summer is as much about looking back as it is about looking forward to the start of Summer. We easily packed two weekends, and maybe three, into this long weekend. The Clan Bryan made the trip over on Friday night and were able to spend a couple of nights with us. It was an adjustment in weather for them and once the furnace was turned back on I attempted to get them to take their jackets off, but that would have to wait until Saturday. Friday night we set up a cot-town in the basement with the idea that all the kids could camp out downstairs. That ended with all the Bryans on the floor in the office and me sleeping in the basement with Sophia and Merrick. For anyone playing along at home, that means that not a single bed in the house was used. Saturday night the kids were camped on the living room floor, but I made sure to find a bed. Saturday morning found the weather oscillating between sun and rain but constantly cool. Becky and I loaded up all the troops and headed out to find some treasures at the thrift sales that pop like the crocus of spring. He hit a gold mine at the first stop were everyone got a new gun and Sophia picked up a new Hula-Hoop. After only a few more stops and a recognition of the amount of parenting that is required with 5 kids at thrift sales we went to the park instead. Ollie helped dry off all the slides for everyone before we took a short hike along the bike trail that wanders through the park, even saw a couple of deer. The kids were even able to play hobo and sit under the bridge. The intent was to have the kids take a short nap (mostly a failed idea) after lunch and then head to Bay Beach (also a failed idea). We expected a big crowd but had no idea it would be so large that we had no place to park. The new roller-coaster was finally open and it was drawing a large crowd. We opted for the wander through the wildlife sanctuary instead and then a nice woodland loop. Jake managed to miss the trail a little and get lost his shoes in the mud, similar to the old Uncle Willy story. We headed home for some brats and partial talent show while the kids used tarps and jump ropes to build forts out of the swing set in the back yard. We attempted to get the kids down early but that was mostly a no go and Sunday brought the inevitable and unenviable sleepy kid syndrome. It was our intention to hit the disc golf course and then maybe the Hall of Fame. The big hill was too much for them to resist running down and before the first tee we had 3 of the 5 kids injured. We played about 3 holes before Becky and Brad tossed in the towel and pointed the van towards home.
Sophia, Merrick and I headed home for a little lunch and a nap. With a little rest behind our eyes we wandered down to Voyager park for DePere days party. Plenty of bouncy houses and face painting for the kids as well as a midway of games for the kids to challenge each other at shooting water in a clown's mouth. Sophia even talked tough about the back flips she was going to do on the bungee trampoline, it appeared to me that she was done long before her time was up. Our blanket and back-pack were prohibited items and the weather still being a little cool I opted to not hang out for another 3 hours to watch the fireworks. The kids were not pleased, although both of them were home and sleeping before I heard the first distant boom and were somewhat placated by the backyard campfire and smores. Monday was a pancake morning and then Sophia had to get to a birthday party. Merrick and I hit the store to find a new kite, and find some straw for the garden. We picked up Sophia and headed over to Pamperin park, which was packed for the holiday. Sophia quickly found a girl she knew, shocker and the kids played in the heat of the sun. They were rosy cheeked and thirsty by the time I piled them back into the truck. I got them home just in time for a serious water balloon and hose fight to cool off and learned just how devious the kids really are. Merrick easily convinced me that he would throw the water balloon at Sophia only to have a Jekyll/Hyde facial transition and through it at me. Sophia thought this was hilarious and then felt left out and wanted a balloon. I told her that if she through it at me then we were all done. She just ran into the back yard and hollered at Merrick that when They "were tired and cold we just have to throw a balloon at Dad!"