Thanks to the generosity of church members who ended up with a couple of extra tickets on Labor Day we were able to go to Knight's Action Park, a water and amusement park here in Springfield. Labor Day was the last day that the water park would be open so it was very important that we were able to go. See, when we first sat down and talked to the boys about moving to Springfield we tried to tell them things about our new city that would make them excited about the move. We didn't want them to be afraid or feel only sadness over leaving behind the only home they'd ever known. Telling them about Knight's Action Park is probably the only reason that they came with us willingly. The day proved to be everything that they had hoped it would be. We were there for about six hours, bringing a picnic lunch to eat when we needed a break. There were lots of things to do with two non-swimmers and we had so much fun together as a family. The boys left asking when they could go back, so there's lots to look forward to next summer. We couldn't take any pictures in the park, we left our phones and things so that we wouldn't have to worry about them, but I snapped this picture of Lance as we were leaving. That's the park in the background. He was asleep within minutes and I think we all felt the same way.
We also had the chance to go with a friend to check out the Springfield Junior Blues hockey team in a couple of preseason games. The boys had never been to a hockey game before. It was a lot of fun letting them experience the game. I think they like the noise and the commotion of it all. They even got to go out on the ice during one of the breaks and pick up pucks, which they loved. Clark got his picture taken with Gilly, the team's mascot. Lance would not go anywhere near him but has talked about him ever since. He even puts on his blue gardening gloves and pretends to be Gilly in the yard. Lance said he wants to be a hockey player. Funny thing is I think that might be the perfect sport for him. He'd love to ram people into the wall and hit things with sticks.
It was last September that our family was able to go on an incredible vacation to Disney World, so this year we spent a lot of time reminiscing about what we were doing at this time one year ago. I was pretty excited when I found out that Disney on Ice was coming to Springfield the week of Clark's birthday. We bought tickets and surprised the boys with an evening to experience some of that Disney magic. Disney never fails. The show was fun and magical, even for little boys (and grown-ups!). They loved the Seven Dwarfs, seeing Flynn Rider drop from the ceiling and, of course, Mickey and his pals.
We also had a lot of fun taking advantage of Talk Like a Pirate Day. Did you know that was a real thing? Trust me, you want to know. Clark and Lance put on their pirate costumes and we went to Krispy Kreme for a free dozen glazed donuts then headed over to Long John Silver's for a free chicken basket for lunch. They were the cutest little pirates ever.
I think that hits all of the high points of what was a very full September. As you can tell, life with these boys is so much fun. Don't get me wrong, it's hard too. But I cannot imagine what my life would be like without them in it. I love our family and I love the wonderful memories that we are making together.
