Top Ten Things We Love About Visiting Manna & Grandpa

Sure I could write about the fourth of July, but I think we celebrated less this year than ever. . .at least in the patriotic, firework, parade, barbecue fashion. But we DID have loads of fun visiting Rob's parents in Idaho. We go every summer several times and there are certain things that we can always expect. The girls have their list of favorites and I have mine. We may not make actual lists (Which is surprising when you consider my penchant for list making) but we certainly have a mental check list.

They go as follows:

Girls List:

1. Go swimming!!! (This is the first thing to be done. . .and then done in between every other activity--unless you arrive at 1:00 am, then you go at 9:00 am when the pool opens. Right after you have. . . .)

2. Ice cream for breakfast. Rob's mom keeps the bottom drawer of her freezer stocked for the girls. She does let them eat ice cream for breakfast. . .and mid morning snack. . .and late afternoon snack. . .and right before bed snack. (I allow the breakfast thing due to my #1 favorite thing) But of course they need to cool off from all their hot. . . .





3. Bike rides with Grandpa. They live in a lovely neighborhood with lots of trails and things to see, like ponds and fountains, right on the Boise River. If they get too hot and they have had their fill of ice cream and they want a change of scenery from the pool, then grandma takes them to . . .




4. The Water Park. We actually didn't make it on this short trip, but I am sure we will hit it when we are back in a couple weeks. You really need an entire afternoon to devote to this kind of fun. This time we chose to spend our afternoon at the . . .



5. Movies. Grandma is good for taking the girls to kiddie movies while Rob and I go to grownup movies. This time Rob was busy helping his brother tile his kitchen so Leesa and I took the girls to go see Kit the American Girl. Hannah LOVES the American Girl Movies, and this one was really cute. And after being dry for at least two hours the first thing the girls do when we get back is head straight for Manna's . . .



6. Fountain. And the fountain isn't really fun unless fully dressed, or wearing pjs. It is amazing one small little fountain can create such wide spread wetness. Then just as the sun in setting (and everyone is in dry clothes--or pjs) the last place that must be visited is the lake in the back yard for a little spot of . . .




7. Fishing. Dad and grandpa love to take the girls down for a half hour before the sprinklers start to tempt the fish. Hannah is getting really good and has a near flawless cast.

8. Shopping. Actually, the girls probably wouldn't put shopping on their list as such, but they never fail to score a load of new clothes and other great things that grandma buys for them. So, they endure the shopping and rush home to try on their new attire (which almost always includes a new swim suit for more. . .)

9. Swimming!! I think since we spent so many hours at the pool it warrants another space on the list. And when they are doing all of these things they are being just. . .

10. Generally spoiled. With things like candy and fruit snacks and new Disney cups and no bed times and . . . .you get the idea.

Luckily, I have my own list of perks for visiting.

My List:

1. Sleeping In. Let's jut put that right up top since it is so rare at home and so appreciated (even though I still feel a little guilty if I manage to sleep past eight).

2. Shopping. I get to do my own shopping. I feel vacation = shopping. Even if it is only visiting family. And why not when we have . . .

3. Free babysitters. There is no better babysitter than Grandma. She is their favorite person and the only concern I might have is the belly ache and glazed sleepless eyes that might result. But I can live with that!

4. Farmers Market. There is the cutest Farmers Market near Rob's parents' house that I love to visit while we are there. It is in this quaint, trendy little main street area and there is always great live music and fun stuff to buy and a fountain for the girls to play in--oh, wait this is MY list--forget the fountain!

5. Hanging out by the pool. I don't usually get in so this is just good fun relaxation time. And it is even better when it's not too hot. It also lends itself well to . . .

6. Reading loads of fun summer books. I love an excuse to lounge and read a good book in the middle of the day.

7. Not cooking. I enjoy cooking, but I also enjoy NOT cooking sometimes.

8. Open Houses. I love looking at new lovely houses and pretending I am in the market to buy one. There are plenty of those near Rob's parents. Some of the houses I have seen several times as they have come back on the market!

9. Sleeping in . . .did I mention that one? Well count it doubly heavenly.

10. Rembrandt's. I love visiting this little artsy coffee house near Rob's parents that has live music Thursday (Jazz night), Friday(open mic night), and Saturday(Local Artist night). They have great desserts and cushy club chairs and board games you play while you listen. And the place is filled with local art for sale which helps fund a local art program. Oh, and did I mention it is in a beautiful old church with arched stained glass windows? I love going there. This time we took Rob's brother and his fiance and played scrabble--which I won! So it was twice the fun.

Can you believe we crammed all that fun into three and a half days? Just imagine what we will do when we go back for a whole week! Actually, I'm pooped. I think my crisp white 1000 thread count sheets are calling my name. . . . Do you have a place you love to visit?