Weekening it

I hope everyone enjoyed their Father's Day weekend. The heat is back here which is always a mixed bag. I love summer and a good bit of heat is always part of that but I'm not a fan of humidity. The Colorado girl in me misses dry heat. 

This weekend we had a bit of a spontaneous flare and took a day-venture to Northlandz, the world's largest model railroad layout. Since Kip is SO IN LOVE with trains and train layouts we decided we had to check it out and an indoor activity on a hot day was a good idea. It was a 45 minute drive which went relatively well since Ivy managed to sleep through most of it. I was worried about crowds but it turns out, this place peaked in 1996 so we only saw about a dozen other people there. 

Kip was in train heaven and honestly, it was pretty impressive.

I think as a parent, excursions like this are always a risky balance. Cost, travel, kid's behavior, impact on routine, general enjoyment, adult energy level, etc. It's an equation that rarely ever has a perfect solution. Some how with this one, we ended in the positive. Ivy was a snack-enjoying peach the whole time we were there. Kip was captivated and never tired or complained. As adults, we felt the admission was a bit high for this place. Although it was impressive and large it was also really outdated, fairly rundown, and not very many trains running. But since the kid's had a good time that's what counts. No one had a meltdown (there) and we enjoyed the day. Would we go back? Probably not, unless Kip convinces us it's worth it for him. 

The main bonus was the gift shop had Hape toys at 50% off so Ivy got her own little train set, Kip got some pieces to add to his marble run and yet another monster truck and pull-back subway train. Dan and I scored the Lionel Polar Express set for cheap that we will save for for Kip for Christmas. AND, we found a great lunch nearby. Burgers with outdoor seating and a playground. It was the first time we've eaten "out" (something not take out or drive thru) since March 2019.

On Father's Day, Dan got to sleep in and open presents, Mandy made egg sandwiches for breakfast, Kip and Dan got to go to the playground to play basketball, and we all went to the pool in the afternoon. 

I love this man and all the ways he shapes this family. His parenting approach is a wonder to witness. In every tough moment with the kids, he brings gentleness and patience, endless love and compassion. I look up to him every day and I couldn't do it without him!