Playing Hookie

Because of Grandma's surprise visit, we decided to play hookie from work, school and all other responsibilities today and do something fun...especially since tomorrow is going to be all boring with the fairy birthday party and stuff.

We took a quick drive out to Rockport to go on a boat tour of some of the thousand islands.  The kids were against the idea at first and really didn't want to go.  But we didn't listen to them.  Lucy said, "Dad, this is NOT how I want to remember my seventh birthday!"  I reassured her that he birthday was yesterday and so she could just remember May 4th this way.  Real soothing-like.  I get that my kids can sometimes (read 'always') be nervous and slow to try new things, and I like to tip-toe and be careful to convince them...but sometimes I just want to say, "Too bad!"  and this was one of those times.

And it's a good thing too, because it was all smiles and wonder as soon as the boat left the dock.  It was a beautiful day today, and a perfect day to be on the water.  The boat was fairly full on the 2 upper decks, but the lowest deck was completely empty, so we spent most of our time there.  The kids were able to walk back and forth from one side of the ship to the other and not worry about getting in anyone's way.  Lucy quickly took over the camera, and Max used his dad's phone and they were snapping pictures like crazy.

Logan, who is always up for adventure, had a great time too.

This is a picture of a bridge between two islands.  The larger island is on the Canada side, and the smaller is in the US, so this is the smallest boarder crossing in North America.

This castle is called Boldt Castle on Heart Island and was built by a couple (can't remember their names).  The wife died during construction and the husband couldn't bear to continue building it.  It was finished after his death and is now a tourist spot.

This little house was bought by Boldt for his MIL.  Apparently she couldn't swim and he would take her here in the spring and pick her up in the fall.  The house is called "Just Room Enough".  I hope my kid's spouses treat me a little better.  They should be all soothing-like.

After we were finished our 1-hour tour, we spent a few minutes checking out the general store where the kids each got some souvenirs care of grandma.  Lucy got a stuffed snowy owl (because she doesn't have enough stuffed animals already), Max got a toy snow-mobile and Logan got a toy snow-grater.  They have all been well played with already.  We were home in time for lunch and naps and games with Grandma.  

This evening we did our usual pizza and movie night.  We got the movie "The Tooth Fairy" from the library yesterday and decided it was a perfect movie for the night before a Fairy Birthday Party.  It had moments that were completely hilarious, and moments that were completely groan-worthy.  Perfect Family movie.  Now we just can't WAIT for tomorrow and the fairy party.  I have some cake decorating to do after the kids go to sleep.  I don't know who's more excited...me or Lucy.  But it's close.  I love birthday parties.