Here in AA, it is so blasted cold for so blasted long that Spring Break for the kids is just not sufficient. So we get a week off school in Feb. and then again in April. I actually don't know the real reason why the public schools have the two different breaks, but blaming it on the weather right now seems about right. Typically the "breaks" don't seem like much of a break for moms at home, but I sure got one this time. We were lucky enough to be able escape the cold and
the snow for a few days, which helped us embrace it when we got back and actually get out there and play. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of that week, we went to one of the fabulous indoor water park resorts called the Kalahari. Resorts like this dot the Midwest, and for me will really be something we miss when we leave. I think it is a great family thing to do in the winter, and think it would be an awesome place to have a reunion for extended family. 
ANYWAY, the park is complete with wave pool, lazy river, kiddie splash zones, 2 family hot tubs, 2 surfing/boogie boarding simulators, and dozens of different types of slides. The resort also has other features outside of the water park, like a climbing structure, mini golf, an arcade, and various restaurants, and all of this accessible a short walk from your room. The boys had a blast checking out the different rides with Daddy, then taking me on the favorites. Many of the rides had height regulations so Max couldn't go on everything. Oddly enough, there was no restriction for the surfing simulator and he became the boogie board champ
!! He loved it and from the start could stay on the board forever. He even got to where he was trying to tricks like riding on his knees or pulling his feet up over his back. Way to go Max! Jack loved doing everything, and since a friend of his from school happened to be down there too, they were able to rule the place together. Lucy didn't seem as sold as the others when it 
came to slides, or even water for that matter. She really liked going up and down steps and playing in the little bubbling fountains, and eating snacks on a chair. But, she looked dang cute in her swimming suit, even if she is almost transparent white! Little Sam was a good sport. Never in his life has this little guy been so warm, he actually got to hang out in a onesie and not wear socks! Woohoo! As for me, my favorite ride was the blue "toilet bowl". You start out on a raft down a regular tube but after a while it opens to a big bowl that swirls you around then dumps you out another tube to finish you off. I ended up being the one with my back toward the front so I 
couldn't see the drops or curves, and boy it was a great, scary ride!! It was great to put the little ones to bed or down for naps and have some fun with the big boys. Byron and I took turns doing this and it was wonderful having uninterrupted, quality, relaxing time with Jack and Max . Some families from our ward were also down there for a day and we had so much fun splashing around with them, and eating Cafe Rio Salads for dinner together, it was a blast! As for me, the favorite part of the trip was actually being warm and wearing FLIP FLOPS! This AZ girl knows what is truly important! On th
e way home it started to snow again and over the next day we got another 6 inches of snow! But unlike the typical Michigan winter day, on Saturday the sun came out in full force. It was still freezing but it made for a great day to play in the snow. The boys and I and some neighbor boys had a blast making a snowman, clearing off the trampoline, and of course having a snowball fight. It really was a great week for our family, I was almost sad when it was time to go back to school.
We were trying to remember how long ago Jack began racing. We do not remember him racing in Milwaukee, but vividly remember him racing when we lived at Grandpa Harbaugh's house during Byron's intern year of residency, which would've made Jack 4 years old. So for the last 4 years any time Byron or I leave the house in the car, Jack wants to RACE. He waits until we are pulled out to the middle of the street, counts to three with his fingers, then takes off as fast as he can. 
Sometimes he races all the way down the street, but usually he goes just one house away, raises his arms in victory, then turns around and goes back inside the house. Jack is PASSIONATE about racing! He loves it and nothing deters him from doing it. So much so in fact, that we have had to make rules about racing over the years. Jack can no longer race before 7 am and cannot race after 8:30 pm. These rules have come after episodes like this where Jack could hear Byron leaving for the hospital at 10 pm or so and was devistated that we wouldn't let him race. He has also lost "racing privileges" at times for leaving the door wide open consecutive mornings, letting our beautiful Michigan winter into our home. As you can tell from the pictures, even the weather doesn't discourage this kid. He will plow through snow or carry an umbrella. 
He doesn't even care if other people are in the car, and some of you lucky people may have had the privilege of driving somewhere with us and racing this speed demon of ours. This all sounds pretty intense, but mostly it is just such a normal part of our day now that we don't even notice it as being unique. The other day when there was a ton of snow and I once again thought he was crazy for wanting to go out there and race, it occurred to me that I needed to capture this and write about it because it really defines Jack and makes up who he is. He is an ambitious, driven kid when he wants to be. The years seem to be racing by and I don't ever want to forget my boy happily racing along beside me! 
(Notice the pajamas and my boots, sweet combo!)
