I was thinking recently how seldomly we had gone on vacation since moving to Arizona. Perhaps, a bit strangely, the best place we can think of to spend the little time and money we have to go on vacation has been back to Idaho (which tells me I might see more of the world if I just lived in Idaho and vacationed else where).
This winter wonderland escape was brought to us by the Ricks family who hired us to take care of their home and family for a couple of weeks. It may not seem like much of a vacation to go and spend all your time taking care of someone else's five kids, but it was bliss! The kids where in heaven, as was I. Josh and Viv got to spend one week with us then flew back to Arizona to hold down the aztec fort before my return (and it seemed as though they had been ambushed by the mess I encountered upon arrival).
The kids were excited to ride on the plane. Faith had remembered the last time we flew, and Danny was excited to be aware of this plane ride while Viv was just soaking it in for the first time in bewliderment.
Sparing the chance of getting some recirculated flu bug and then taking it to Boise for our babysitting adventure, Josh made us take extra precaution on the flight up. Sure, we got some funny looks (one guy mentioned indescreetly to the person behind home that there must be some sort of conspiracy on board) but it was worth the comfort of knowing that we weren't accidentally going to catch anything dreadful to go through 8 kids.
Once flying into Boise we had a night of rest there before taking a quick drive over to Rexburg to see some more snow and cousins. Before we even had the car in park at home in the Burg Faith was begging to get out and play in the snow. We let them play until soaked through, then dried the clothes on the radiator, then went out again. Hit repeat the next day with adding in some sledding down Smith park hill before driving right back to Boise. It may have been a flash in the pan trip but it was ultimately worth it to have the whole family get to meet Viv and say goodbye to some family moving back East again. And the snow....perhaps the Rexburgers were sick of it but we were thrilled!!!
Once back in boise we had super fun with cousins, all their toys, dress-ups, and art work.
double bonus was having Grampa Dan and Grama-Shell come and visit from the Northwest. It sure was a lot short of a drive to come to Boise than all the way down to Arizona and any time together is fantastic time. Of course I was bit distracted taking on 5 more kids, but we had fun nonetheless.
We went to the Birds of Prey (Danny here sporting the wingspan of a California Condor) on a free to the public day - madness! I had been there with the kids when we lived there and loved seeing the birds undisturbed, but 8 kids, 4 adults and a mass of other people was not ideal, albiet cheap.
Once Josh left, Danny became my sleeping buddy in the king sized bed, which was convinient considering he had a tendency to rotate while sleeping and I was still out of range. Danny still likes to be cuddled while falling asleep, but thereafter is a jumble gym. My amazing nephew, age 9, read the girls to sleep each night. Faith and Eve are the best of friends and giggled as all girls should as going to bed together. It was a blissful extended sleepover for them, granted they got grumpy by the end of a couple longer days, but they still loved each night and refused to sleep seperate.
In summary, taking care of more kids is not so much more difficult as long as you have plenty of playdough to go around.
Mother Goose's house: Yes, they were very very well trained geese (with diapers) that will give you hugs and kisses. Very different from the geese I remember on Grandpa's farm.
There was live jousting (the main reason we went). Although the action took place in front of us, Danny was sure we were seated in a portion of the stadium that faced the royal stables so he could see the horses at all times. He was severely disappointed that he didn't get to ride any of the horse, yet, in true boy fashion, recounted all the battle with actions.
Story time with the queen. The costuming was fantastic throughout the festival. I had anticipated that the paid actors would be in costume, I had not, however, realized that there is a costume rental shop before the entrance of the festival so just about anyone could be 'in character' at the festival. Talk about a group of loonies! It was fun. We shall see next year if we can pick the magic day when there are less people crowding the fair so we can actually see what is going on without bumping into some sort of pirate of unknown origins.
Once back in boise we had super fun with cousins, all their toys, dress-ups, and art work.
double bonus was having Grampa Dan and Grama-Shell come and visit from the Northwest. It sure was a lot short of a drive to come to Boise than all the way down to Arizona and any time together is fantastic time. Of course I was bit distracted taking on 5 more kids, but we had fun nonetheless.
We went to the Birds of Prey (Danny here sporting the wingspan of a California Condor) on a free to the public day - madness! I had been there with the kids when we lived there and loved seeing the birds undisturbed, but 8 kids, 4 adults and a mass of other people was not ideal, albiet cheap.
Once Josh left, Danny became my sleeping buddy in the king sized bed, which was convinient considering he had a tendency to rotate while sleeping and I was still out of range. Danny still likes to be cuddled while falling asleep, but thereafter is a jumble gym. My amazing nephew, age 9, read the girls to sleep each night. Faith and Eve are the best of friends and giggled as all girls should as going to bed together. It was a blissful extended sleepover for them, granted they got grumpy by the end of a couple longer days, but they still loved each night and refused to sleep seperate.
In summary, taking care of more kids is not so much more difficult as long as you have plenty of playdough to go around.
