North Carolina Day Three - Playground and Pool

Today was a work day for James.  He woke up early (even before the boys which is pretty hard to do!) and went out to study before his class started.  Once everyone woke up the boys and I headed downstairs to have breakfast in the hotel lobby.  The boys were very good although it was still a little stressful for me.  Because there are so many of us it doesn't take much for things to descend into chaos.  One child speaking loudly might not be noticed, two could be ignored but four can really change the volume in the room!  But they all did really well and we soon headed out for the playground.

We discovered this park on our previous visit here last year.  It is awesome.  There are four separate playground areas each with their own unique design.  The park also has a nice green lawn, walking paths, rocks to climb on, and a splash pad although this wasn't on today.  The boys loved it.  There was a group of about 40 school age kids there and a handful of moms with their preschoolers. Colin right away ran to join the school kids who were about his age.  Will started up a game with a little three year old who was thrilled to be playing with a big boy.

Colin on one of the many spinning things

Will loved the tree house playground

The boys favorite activity was playing on the Merry-Go-Round which was where the older kids congregated.  Charlie joined in too when it wasn't too crowded.  Although after a couple turns he came off saying he felt sick.  But once he'd had a drink he was ready to go right back on! 

The Merry-Go-Round unusually empty

Colin hangs out upside down

Jon spins around in a little seat

At one point Will, Jon, and I played a spy game where they would try to steal away my water bottle and sneakily pass it off to each other without my noticing.  It was really nice to play with them.

After a couple hours at the park we were very hot and had gone through all our water.  So we went back to the hotel for a snack and a little rest.  Will read and wrote a blog post, Colin worked on a writing assignment for his school, Jon colored, and Charlie played with his trucks.  All the boys took turns having a bubble bath.  

Will and Jon relax on the front porch of our hotel

Refreshed, we went to meet James for lunch.  Once we got outside though I realized I had left my keys back in the room.  But Will was able to run in and get them for me.  I love having older children!!  James' class just down the street so Will, Jon, and Colin were able to run to meet him while Charlie and I brought the car down.  They love to run!

For lunch we went to our favorite place down here, Cookout.  It is the perfect place.  The food is excellent, really cheap and very filling.  It might not be healthy but you can't have everything...  :-)  And they have great milkshakes!  It really is our favorite place to eat.  

James and his silly boys

Enjoying our lunch at Cookout

Jon loves Daddy

All too soon we had to bring James back to work.  The boys were desperate to swim but Charlie and I were tired so we took a little nap first.  Finally we went down to the pool.

Entering the pool

Me and the boys enjoying our swim

The boys love to swim.  Jon spent almost the whole time practicing swimming from one side of the pool to the other.  He would toss a float into the middle of the pool and swim to it so that he could hold on to something before making it to the other side.  But before long he was swimming without any assistance at all.  Charlie had his tube and paddled all over the pool.  He also loved jumping off the side so that he could go under water.  He got cold quickly though so he occasionally had to get out and warm up.

Jon loves swimming

Charlie is ready to jump in

Will loves swimming under water best, diving for toys or doing flips and he spent most of his time doing that in the shallower end of the pool.  His face and eyes were so red by the time we were done!  Colin loved everything, he dove for toys, swam with a float in the deep end, played bucking bronco with me, and had a wonderful time.  He loves to swim!  

Will and Colin emerge from the water

Playing in the pool

Jon strikes out across the pool

While we were swimming James came to say hello but he couldn't join us because he had to study.  But it was nice to see him even for a little while.  I am so grateful that we are able to go on business trips with him.  Even though he spends the whole day working and studying I am glad that we are here together and that we can still fall asleep next to each other.

The hotel had a pizza reception tonight and who can resist free pizza?  Not us certainly.  James missed it but the boys and I had pizza and watched the Jungle Book before bed.  The boys were great at bedtime and fell asleep quickly.  All the playing must have worn them out!  And now it is my time for bed too.

Goodnight!