Five Things:
My Genius Idea for Improving Water Rides [And Other Silliness]

I'm thrilled to tell you that our trip to Wisconsin Dells was a success! Thanks to children's Dramamine, there was no upchucking in the van of any kind, and we all had a great time! (Unlike our last trip to Milwaukee. Ahem.) My mind was filled with some random musings during our mini-vacay, and I'm sharing them here!

#1 - [This is the one I am the most excited about!] I thought of a way to make water rides 208% better! At the bottom of each ride, there will be a sign indicating the likeliness that a person's hair and/or face will get wet. Dan suggested that a cartoon bunny would be a good visual graphic, and I have to agree. If a rider is 10% or less likely to get splashed in the hair and/or face, the bunny will be happy with both ears high, stiff, and perky. 11%-50% would call for a bunny with a squiggle mouth and one ear up and one ear down. 51%-100% would be indicated by a frowning bunny with both ears drooping and dripping. Okay, the kinks need to be worked out, but you get where I'm going with this, right? I don't mind getting wet when I'm prepared for it, but if I've just washed my hair and have washable mascara on, there are certain rides I'd rather avoid. Is anyone with me? Waterpark execs, take note and feel free to contact me to make arrangements for paying the royalties on this.

#2 - We stayed at a resort with three indoor waterparks. At the first waterpark, I noticed several people with giant covered margarita glasses, and I was immediately convinced that I, too, needed a giant margarita glass (filled with a cocktail, of course). Dan investigated the bar to see how much one was, and I must have been in denial because, even though he said they were $30 each, I thought he said it would cost $30 for both of us (that is, $15 each). $15 for a giant margarita is still more than I'd like to pay, but we were on vacation, so I kept pestering him about it. Finally, the miscommunication was cleared up, and I agreed there was NO way to justify a $30 beverage. Unless... You buy the $30 glass and look at it as an investment. Then, when you're ready for a refill (which is only [har-har] $20), you split the drink (because who could possibly drink that much anyway?), and then it only comes out to be $10 a drink! Still a bit steep, but at least it's kind of reasonable. Do you think you could bring the glass back each year? Who has done this? Inquiring minds want to know! And I have to 'fess up and tell you that this hankering of mine was all kinds of absurd because I scold Dan when he gives me more than 1/2 a shot of anything. (I'm so not a big drinker.)

#3 - Even though our trip to the Dells was 98% successful, Theodorbs was exhausted by the end. As we were getting ready to hit the waterpark one last time, he melted down into what I call a cute-mess (you know, the toddler version of a hot-mess). We had the Pack 'n Play all disassembled and ready to be loaded into the minivan, but we set it back up. Theo took a 3-hour nap from which we had to wake him when it was time to check out. I was a little bummed that I missed out on the final waterpark, BUT Dan offered to stay with Theo several times, and I declined. I don't know why, but I always feel like I should be the one to stay behind with the littles, and I end up missing out on a lot of things! I hesitate to use the phrase "missing out" because I feel like I'm actually gaining just as much as I'm missing--both time with my littles and occasionally some relaxing, quiet time for myself. Mamas, do you ever do the same thing? For my part, I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I nurse well into toddlerhood. Anyhoo, I enjoyed some quiet time chilling on the sofa. I was able to catch up one some of my favorite blogs, which leads me to my next point...

#4 - I follow a few design blogs, and I really, really love them, but there's this trend that's driving me a little crazy. These bloggers are purchasing cabins and renovating them. They're beautiful, but they are chic and glamorous and SO not cabin-y. I'm itching to paint a lot of the woodwork in our own home white, but our home is far from a cabin. These bloggers are painting over almost all of the woodwork and adding lots of chic fixtures, and the end result is gorgeous but anything but cozy and rustic. I'm not going to call out anyone or show any examples (because I'm not mean), but it got me thinking... How does one accomplish rustic-chic without going too glam?

#5 - I've found a few new filters for editing my photos, and I feel like they've really upped my Instagram game! (The photos aren't perfect, but I'm learning!) I'd love for you to check them out and let me know what you think. You can follow along over on Instagram and/or Facebook. Here are some of my favorite pictures from our trip: