Branson

Twice a year (spring and Christmas) we take a family vacation to Branson, MO and visit Silver Dollar City. Sister has been looking forward to this for weeks, talking about the rides and shows. Finally, the day came. We piled in the car to make the four hour drive to Branson. Easy, right? Except for the two hours of crying by Brother, absolutely.

We went to Branson knowing that it was probably going to rain. That's okay, we told ourselves, there is stuff we can do indoors. According to the weather channel, it we would have thunderstorms all morning with clearing in the afternoon. However, when I woke up to clear skies, I knew I had to wake up everybody else and head out.

We got to Silver Dollar City as they opened. Of course, Sister ran straight for the kiddie rides. Seriously, it has been a year since she rode rides but she knew just where to go. This year, she rode some by herself, including the frogs. She also did some bigger rides, including a swing contraption that I refused to go near. Is it bad when your three year old will choose scarier rides than you?

Silver Dollar City has different festivals throughout the year. Right now is World Fest. This is a home schoolers dream. Oh, the unit studies that we can do when they get older! But I digress. This year, we really wanted to see the Chinese acrobats. I was amazed, but Brother and Sister sat through the entire show.

(Mommy, Daddy, Sister and Brother before the Chinese acrobat show)

(Grandma, Grandpa, and Sister before the Chinese acrobat show; not a chance in the world that I would take Brother out of the wrap at this point!)

We were very fortunate to miss most of the rain that day. Sister got to do lots of rides and we got to see several shows that incorporated dance or music from various countries. However, at the end of the day, the rain came down! We found shelter under an awning to try to wait the storm out.

Finally, we decided to run to the front and leave. Running in the rain was great fun! Being soaking wet afterwards, not as much.

Daddy, Sister, Brother and I got to the car before Grandma and Grandpa, whom had gone to see the Chinese acrobats again (I told you they were good!). While we waited, Daddy took off Sister's socks and shoes. While trying to get in her seat, she slipped and fell, causing her to cut her toe. Tears ensued. At least until we got back to the condo and she got a Band-Aid; then everything was fine again.

We love these family trips with Grandma and Grandpa. The kids have such fun on vacation (yes, even little Brother had a good time...except for in the car seat) and I am pretty sure that Grandma and Grandpa have fun with the kids.