Arrowwood

For the second year in a row, we took a mini-vacation up to Alexandria and stayed at Arrowwood Resort. It seems to be the perfect spot for us, with our kids at these ages - namely lots of swimming options, indoor and out, which entertains them and thoroughly tires them out!

This year, we took my mom along for moral support, babysitting duty and the occasional heavy lifting (e.g., picking Charlie up and lugging him around). :)

We started out our mornings at the indoor swimming pool, which we tended to have to ourselves (what with our early-rising and ready-to-go-immediately-after-breakfast kids).

Then we'd head to the indoor water park for the rest of the morning - Ava is definitely adventurous when it comes to rides/water slides, and now that she's swimming pretty well, she could do everything herself this year. Charlie is a bit braver, too, and he loved playing in the wading pool and doing the smaller slides. The lazy river is more my speed...

We'd have lunch and while Charlie napped, the grown-ups took turns accompanying Ava to the Kids' Activity Center, where we did crafts, played games and watched movies. Later in the afternoon, we swam at the outdoor pool, rented a jet ski, and checked out local playgrounds and a beach. Ava and Joe were determined to catch a minnow - look closely: here's the proof (and one happy little girl).

We did spend some time in our suite with books, games, and...the very handy portable DVD player (thank you neighbors!)

The kids really are good little travelers; maybe next year, when Charlie's three and a little more flexible with naps, we'll branch out a little for our vacation...we'll see!