Getting on the road... with children now!

Lets put it this way: the last post - and the last big trip -  happened around the same time we got pregnant again. So... after 9 months of belly growing and 6 months of sleepless nights, we are back!

Now we are four. Actually, five, because our nephew Vitor is visiting us for a couple of months from Brazil.  

Destination: one of the most fun places in Ontario for kids: The Great Wolf Lodge, in Niagara Falls.

The idea came with a gift certificate Papa Smele gave us two christmas ago, when Sofia wasn't even born yet. Before that I had never even heard about this place. It's a hotel with a waterpark and various attractions for children. The forest theme makes it more exciting for the little ones, who can play with talking trees and other moving animals like wolves, moose and bears.

While daddy is in the long line trying to check-in, Julia and Vitor join other children running around in the lobby discovering all the fun. In this picture they are howling with wolves.

The only family portrait of the trip.

 Sofia checking out the bed. It's her first hotel experience, ever!

 Julia and Vitor sharing bunk beds in the wolf den.

But let's not waste time here in the room. There is a waterpark waiting for us.

 WATERPARK

All the "vovó-anas", like Julia calls the Havaianas.

"Fine, I am too young, but next time I am going on the highest water slide!"

He is happy to have a break from the cold and snow!

It's freezing cold... OUTSIDE!

DINNER AT THE KEG

After all that excitement and physical activity - swimming, jumping, running, screaming - we are starving! Daddy also had a gift certificate for The Keg Steak House. Why not? 

Sofia enjoying an orange for the first time. She loves it!

 Despite of being in a steak house, I always prefer salmon over anything.

 Vitor needs a HUGE steak to recharge his batteries.

 Juju loves her burgers.

And daddy can't let Vitor down. Extra blue cheese for him, though.

PAJAMA PARTY

 Back at the hotel we see all the kids running around in pajamas, some carrying their teddy bears. Julia runs to her room and get her pj's on for the "pajama dance party," she says doing some samba moves.

Right after we discovered the game room, we call Vitor to come down and play with us. The party goes on till way past our normal bed time.

NEXT MORNING

I am not sure if it was the waterpark, the burgers, or the bears and wolves decoration on the wall. I just know that something rose Julia's excitement levels through the roof and she was awake from 3:30 to 5am, talking non stop. She was so awake, that daddy took her bed and she joined the "sleepless club" with me, since I have to feed Sofia often during the night. My favourite part was when, at one point she turns to me and says: "mommy, would you like a face painting? what colour do you want?"

At 7:30 am she jumps off the bed, opens the curtains and says: "It's good morning time already, mommy!"

 A bit of television...

... and a bit of play time between sisters, before the boys wake up.  

VISITING THE FROZEN FALLS

After playing more in the waterpark it's time to go home, but not before visiting the falls. Vitor was here years ago and barely remembers the place. It's not a good day to see this wonderful nature scene because of the mist and snowy sky, but we make sure he gets the traditional Niagara Falls picture!

Great weekend! Great memories! Thanks Papa Smele!