Fluming grand day out

Today we went to Zoom Flume, a waterpark in the Catskills about an hour south of Albany. Now, given that I have no particular fondness for slides, getting wet or (as much chronicled in this blog) fun in general, you may be wondering how I got talked into this. The sad truth is, I'm a sucker for a money-off coupon.

We arrived, and for quite a long time it seemed that the kids weren't too impressed by the whole waterslide concept either, so that was about to be a big shame. The Girl got a lot of fun out of the 'Wild Water West' feature - shooting water cannons and trying not to get shot at herself; and the Boy quite enjoyed riding in a large rubber ring around the Lazy (make that Catatonic) River.

Eventually - after a stiff hot dog and ice cream - we persuaded them onto a steeper, wilder river which we all rode down together in a big round inflatable boat. That was so good we had to do it again! Then both kids had several goes on Thrill Hill (this is the Girl on her way down), before returning for more watery Wild West shenanigans.

A mention in dispatches for the Man, who braved the terrifyingly fast Mighty Anaconda. I don't how much he actually enjoyed it, but he was the only one of our party who made it down a bona fide flume.

Mexican revolution

This morning we did our 'shop local' bit by going to a neighbourhood gift-store (rather than one of the Albany malls) to buy a birthday present for a schoolfriend. The shop turned out to be an Aladdin's cave of giftiness - books, games, toys and crafty things - and I'll definitely be visiting again. We followed it up with a snack in a nearby independent coffee shop. The Boy munched his way through most of an enormous M&M cookie before announcing that he didn't like it much. He could have fooled me.

In the afternoon, a birthday party with a Mexican theme. Pinata, nachos, salsa etc, and sombreros for all the children. Or sombrellos, according to the Boy. Even the birthday cake was in the shape of a Mexican hat. To finish up, nicely full of cake and ice-cream, most of the children had fun rolling down a slope in front of the friend's house - like you do.

Dog days of summer

We spent the day at home. A couple of kids from along the road came to play, and one of them spent an impressively long time in the pool considering how cold the water feels these days.

Later on the Girl and Boy were excited to take next door's dog for a walk. It's a little fluffy thing, given to squaring up to alsatians in a totally ridiculous way. We managed to walk it all round the block without it getting savaged, despite its best efforts, so that was a relief.

Homeschool daze

This morning I presented the kids with a folder full of Thomas the Tank Engine letter and number workbooks and flashcards and told them, 'There you go - do some homeschooling!'

Here's the amazing thing: they did! For about five hours! The Girl took on the role of encouraging teacher (lots of Great job! stamps and stickers); and the Boy, grateful to receive the positive attentions of his sister, was an enthusiastic student. Even during the occasional 'recess' they were sitting out on the swing-set with the Girl reading aloud to her 'class'. Five whole hours and not a single cross word between them. Extraordinary.

And just as the game started petering out a friend came round to play, so they threw themselves and their energies into the pool and the rest of the afternoon went cheerfully too.

I honestly don't think we've had such an unargumentative day since Christmas.

Do it myself

'My Mum will like these craft books,' said the Girl to the librarian the other night as she checked out her choices, 'But the problem is, sometimes she forgets that helping someone isn't the same as doing the whole job for them.'

She's right, alas (maybe you knew that already). I can never resist saying 'Give it here...' and then I won't give it back until it's finished.

So watch out, kids of the Capital District: if you come to my craft stall at the Five Rivers Fall Festival next month you needn't expect to be doing much yourself.

There was another planning meeting tonight, which I arrived at late because we'd all been up at school for the annual end-of-summer Potluck Picnic. The Man and I ate well, but the kids were much too busy catching up with their friends and meeting new classmates to be bothered with food. They won't be back at school for real until next Thursday, but I think they're looking forward to it. I know I am - although I have to admit the three month vacation which seemed like it would be an eternity has actually gone by terribly fast.

Slide comes before the Fall

One of those bits and pieces days today. Home in the morning, and out to the shops in the afternoon - with back-to-school in mind, it was time for new shoes.

After dinner we joined friends at the local ice-creamery - a giddy reunion for the Boy with one of his best school buddies. We all ended up back at our house, and together the kids well and truly put the new swing-set (which has been reconstructed and now has a swing as well as a slide) through its paces.

The last couple of days have been ideal: dry, sunny but not unbearably hot, and cool in the evening. Perfect weather as the summer draws to a close - the leaves on our cherry tree are just starting to turn, the first hint that fall approaches.

Mythical creations

The Girl had a burst of creativity at the beach on Saturday. She spent a long time gathering shells and seaweed and other odds and ends she termed 'sea gifts', and put them together like this:

I think it's rather lovely. Can you tell what it is?

Meanwhile the Boy amused himself making sand angels.