We took the girls to Upper Clements Park today, along with two of my sister's families. This was Olivia's second time at Upper Clements Park in the Annapolis Royal (the Valley), Nova Scotia, Canada and Lexie's first time. Olivia was shy of 4 months old the first time we took her, so this time, the experience for her and us was completely different.
While waiting for the rest of our crew to arrive, Daddy took Olivia to one of the playgrounds. Andrew couldn't stop telling me on the drive home, how he loves seeing Olivia's eyes light up when she sees a playground and she just gets to play as her little heart desires.
We walked a bit down the road, where there were two big towers. Daddy and Olivia went up the first tower and walked across to the second tower. Olivia certainly is not afraid of heights - she crossed the whole way, walking all by herself and had fun in doing so.
Lexie is standing up just behind the pony! :)
Next, we went to the Carousel. Daddy stood by Olivia while she was on the pony that was pulling Mami and Olivia's little sister. It was Lexie's very first time on a Carousel and she was alright with it. Olivia on the other hand, kept squeeling with joy, and people kept smiling at her.
I'm not sure why I thought it was a good idea to take Olivia on the Ferris Wheel. Maybe because I thought that it is one of the rides I wouldn't feel sick afterwards, as it's just high and not round and round and round. Boy was I wrong.
It went quite fast, which I did not expect. Olivia was fine the first round, as we went up slowely and then stopped, to load the next people.
Even when we were right at the top, she was fine, pointing down to Daddy. This went on about 6 times, until all the new people got on. Then, once the ride started going fast, my poor, little girl started crying. I really don't think she expected the "Butterfly in your stomach" feeling when the ride really took off. We had to endure two more rounds and then got let off. Luckily, as soon as we got out of the Ferris Wheel, Olivia was fine, running over to the Trucks.
Now the Trucks...she loved! Mami took Lexie on a truck, too, which was Lexie's second ride. She seemed to enjoy it, as she kept standing up in my lap and hanging on the front with her hands. Olivia kept going back on the Truck ride. I personally think she looked cutest when she rode in the front and with her cousin Lily.
Shortly after, Tante Karin took our big girl on a plane. Thank Goodness, my sister volunteered to take her. I know I probably would have thrown up afterwards! Olivia enjoyed the plane ride with Tante Karin.
It was time to get some grub - we went up to the little restaurant and while Daddy & Olivia went to yet another fun playground, Lexie & Mami went to get some food. It was about a 25 minute wait and once I got the food, I took it outside to the picnic table by the playground. I took a look to the playground, to wave hubby and daughter over and during that second, a nasty seagull dove down onto the table to attempt the abduction of our food! Unbelievable!
First, Gotte Babsi and Malcolm (soon to be uncle, oh yeah!) took Olivia on the Antique Cars and Olivia had so much fun, that we decided to take a family ride in the Antique Cars, with Lexie and Mami hanging out in the back, while Olivia steered and Daddy pressed the gas in the front. Good times. Then we navigated up to the Kiddie Bumper Boats and the Ball Pit.
The Kiddie Bumper Boats were really sweet and kind of fun for Lily and Olivia, even though I think the boats were kind of tricky to steer. The girls mostly went in circles.
The Ball Pit was most fun for all the kids, whether they were one year old or over 3 - they all loved it!
Our last stop was at the Kiddie Wading Pool. Olivia and Lexie both enjoyed the water and Olivia actually went under water fully, her whole head and everything, for the first time, I think. We've only been in a pool one other time, when she wasn't even a year old. Other than that, she's been in the tub and in her Oma and Opa's Lake.
I wasn't sure why the guys suddenly started laughing behind me, but when I turned around, I realized why. Needless to say, I had to take the above picture. Not sure what Lexie was trying to do with the food!
Our biggest girl sure enjoyed the treat of her Birthday Party ice cream at the end of the day. She had to wait many, many hours to get it. Needless to say, I don't think she very much minded the wait, as she had a great day at Upper Clements Park this year!
We really enjoyed the day with the kids and relatives. However, we both decided that next time we wouldn't get Premium Bracelets for ourselves again. Maybe we'd get one, or just a Basic Bracelet, as we paid $25.50 plus taxes for one Premium Bracelet and only went on 2 premium rides. It was not worth it. We did get a 25% discount off of one Premium bracelet (CAA). Kids under 2 years are free to go on Kiddie rides, so we didn't have to pay for Lexie but the Basic Bracelet for Olivia cost a wooping $22 plus taxes.
However, seeing how much Olivia enjoyed her day, it was well worth the money. We were at the Park from 11am - 6:30pm and both of the kids fell asleep in the car pretty much immediately on the way home. Hubby and myself had a nice and quiet 2 hour drive back. We could actually talk to each other, uninterrupted - it's a luxury these days! These last two pictures were taken hours after our kidlets had been transfered to bed, the same night. They were exhausted alright!
