Our Week Away, Part 2, Jacks All Wet

  Waking up in the morning allows everyone to get a fresh start and find their happy place to move forward.  Or, it provides opportunity to carry on from the night before and accomplish the things that were not done prior to bed.  Either way it makes for an interesting day ahead, filled with joy, laughter, heartache, headache, and a little disappointment for some.
  While Jack was eating his breakfast he informed me that he read in the morning because he was awake prior to everyone else.  Now seriously, read, what kid reads in the morning and allows everyone else to sleep?  Based on my kids if you wake up first you either turn on the television, pull out your handheld game, or wake up the parents for breakfast.  I must admit my kids are not bad in the morning, with the exception of Thing4 who gets right in your face and asks when she can have breakfast, no matter the time.  Reading a book has yet to cross their minds, although it is only Thing1 that can read so I should cut them some slack.
  Following breakfast and some play time in the basement we ventured down to the lake where all the kids were looking forward to a little swim.  I will admit up front that I am a swimming pool person and always have been, I don't go in the lake, never have, and do not have the urge to start now.  I'm sure there is a name for it, other then chicken of course.  My kids impressed me recently when all four of them swam in the lake with their life jackets and never once complained about the weeds or the feel of the bottom.  My wife and I couldn't be prouder of them for what they were accomplishing and looked forward to getting back and seeing them swim in the lake again.  Well, thankfully Thing3 did not disappoint as he joined Jack in the water and together they swam all around, coming out, drying off and going back in again for more.  The other three joined me in holding down the patio furniture and watching the tandem swim together.
  After a Timmies lunch and a somewhat quick stop at the grocery store, which was interesting to say the least, we headed back so that I could teach all five kids a lesson in nerf gun battles.  Wow, was I wrong.  They proceeded to take out their frustrations on me, landing almost every shot on some part of my body.  When Jack missed me one time I heard him complain about his aimer, site on the gun, being off.  I think, if allowed, they may have gone for the camouflage look just to get a little closer to me.  I did manage a couple hits myself, but was eventually ruled the loser.
  We finished a gourmet dinner, hotdogs, a visit to the spa, okay it was just a shower, dished out strawberries and popcorn and visited the theatre for a little mid evening movie.  I thought about Home Alone, but these kids need no ideas, so we settled on Dr. Doolittle.  At the end of the movie all kids ventured off to bed, with each of them sleeping in their own bed, with two being in the basement, and three upstairs.  I only hope I don't have kids calling on me from multiple levels, although I feel this will be another good nights sleep in preparation for another chance at a good day in the sunshine.  Fingers crossed, I am off to toast a successful bedtime.