Just trying to get caught up here. So last week we had a play date with Kennedy and crew. Above- I can't believe I let the girls drive that death trap. Luckily they didn't find it that interesting. Popsicles were more of a pull. They also have an indoor bounce house and ball pit so there was a lot of insanity at this play date but they left exhausted and were asleep by 645 so.... we all win.
Above- Friday at swim lessons. Benny just looked so cute I couldn't stand it.
And now for the extreme photo dump- The Land of Make Believe. I had no clue what to expect. But after 2 hours of driving (Hilly kept saying "I have to pee! No, I have to throw up!" which resulted in a few confused and nerve-wracking stops. She never did barf. Just pee. And also, it's Hilly. She might just be bored and want the car to stop driving), we ended up in Hope, NJ with a ton of New Yorkers and NJ residents. It was insane. Cash only (?), half water park, half county fair. It was easy to spend a full day here!
This was my girls' first time in an actual water park. They held hands and asked each other if they wanted to go in and they did. It was really nice and clean and cute. Slides perfect for their size. It took them awhile to get the courage to really partake in these activities but they did. I was so proud.
Below here we are on the lazy river. Benny loved it but hated getting sprayed with water. At the end he happily popped up and said "I'm clean!!!" He likened this experience to when I forced him in the outdoor shower in Rehoboth the week before. He screamed his head off.
Hilly tripped over a lady's foot while drinking a juice box and eating crackers and walking. She got 2 scraped knees and was miserable about it for 1.5 hours. Aunt Jeanette was a life saver and offered her Nutella and crackers sticks (?) and a juice box and a comfy space to chill. This has Hillary written all over it. They lucked out in the aunt department with all 3 of their aunts.
We ventured to the county fair-portion of the park.
Of course I ran over to the petting zoo. Benny LOVES cows.
These turkeys made really gave me the creeps. I feel like we shouldn't eat turkey. I mean.... does this bird look appetizing to you? He looks possessed.
Bunny rabbit cages.
Back to the cow. There was a lady there explaining to Hilly all about the cow. She had a lot of questions about why there were flies all around him.
Did I mention there was a Christmas barn? Dude. We all love Christmas stuff. And this ghetto Santa did not disappoint. Plus, to get to him we had to walk up a staircase through a chimney. The fact that it was July 25 only made this even more perfect.
There was a pizza place downstairs. Right up Jack's alley.
Below there was this maze. The kids ran their hearts out- Ben and Gabe included. They loved it so much I sort of feel inspired to try to recreate one in my dog poop-filled backyard. It was really cool. I def would've loved this as a child.
Then we hit up the adorable train that took us around the entire park.
Above, talking scarecrows. Which Jack said was her favorite part of this day. In the car home, she was upset we never said goodbye to them.
Below is the crew outside the Halloween barn. This was a really dumbed down version of a haunted house which was perfect for kids this age. They felt brave by going in and facing their fears but it didn't scare them, resulting in them feeling even more brave. We must have gone through this barn 10x. We actually left the barn and then returned. Benny kept calling it the "scary house." It contained things like a mummy, a pumpkin head, a vampire, a witch, etc...
These pics mainly speak for themselves- rides and stuff. Benny was mad he had to wear a seat belt on the carousel. He felt like it was babying him. I rode on the horse next to him and I'm not kidding- it was really fun and relaxing.
2 pics above- the girls went on the little roller coaster together. I loved that they sat together. Hilly hated it though and hit her head in Jack/s lap the entire time. I was afraid she was going to get some sort of neck injury by sitting like that, but she didn't.
Then it was hot, so we returned to the water park.
On the ride home I saw this little independently owned ice cream/hot dog stand and knew my kids hadn't eaten so I called everyone and we stopped for one last hurrah at this adorable little place.
This day was insane and exhausting but also really fun.
Monday we met up w friends at the pool. Hilly and Hannah played a bunch which is awesome. They were practicing putting their faces underwater. 
And P and Jack were off in their own world. 
Benny wasn't in the swimming mood so we just hung around playing lifeguard over the others. 
Then today Hilly was off. She has a tiny cold but just cannot handle the discomfort. Every time she has to cough she announces she is going to throw up. I mean.... 
Cotton candy ice cream inspired by cousin Conner's selection on Sunday. 
Sautéed mushrooms for dinner. 
