Silverwood

We had a great time at Silverwood this past Saturday. We were there from 10 am to 10 pm and did both parks with the family. The girls were superb and handled all the fun, food and festivities with lots of energy and excitement (we won't talk about the details of the day after, but it wasn't pretty). We can't wait to go back and will definitely make this an annual event.

Tips to Make Your Silverwood Experience an Enjoyable one:
1. The big sip "coaster cups" are a good deal - .99$ refill. We refilled at least 4 times and visited the bathroom at least 8 times...
2. When the inevitable punk 8th grade kid cuts in front of you while waiting in line, charge him a $1 or 3 Pokemon cards. Either way, you'll be out on top.
3. You will be told continuously that Silverwood's "chicken strips" are "the best around." What they mean is - the best around that particular physical establishment. But, the fries are actually REALLY good.
4. Buy a scoop of ice cream inside the amusement park. They are HUGE and you will eat it all since you are at Silverwood... an it's a treat... and you don't do this all the time... and you only live once...
5. You WILL go off your diet if you are on one. Diets don't exist at Silverwood. It is an all out assault on all foods healthy.
6. Roller Coasters are meant to be ridden with your hands in the air. Warnings against this, however, are placed conveniently at the exit of the ride... along with a neck adjustment.
7. When waiting in line for a roller coaster, have some carefully crafted questions prepared in order to "blend in" with the locals. Such as: "So, that's an awesome cut-off! Is that real flannel?" OR... ""So, how did Pabst get that blue ribbon?"
8. If going on a Saturday, arrive an hour early so you can get a covered spot at the water park. Shade is priceless. Seriously. You can auction your spot to the highest bidder when you leave. Now you have money for that ice cream cone.
9. The security are obviously x special forces and should not be taken lightly.
10. In order to not look like such a tourist, stop by the temporary tattoo booth and get a nice BIG tattoo of "mom", KidRock" or any of the Nascar drivers. This will ensure that you will be treated like family... also mullets and rat tails are not necessary, but always welcomed.

Swim Lessons

Haven had swim lessons these past few weeks and she LOVED it. I saw a huge growth in confidence and boldness this year. She would confidently jump into the "big" pool with her blue noodle tied around her waist. For the most part, Have would listen to her swim teacher, Bre's, instruction and guidance. Although she gave Bre plenty of her own advice and directions as well. At the end of her two week session, she was able to swim a few seconds on her own (dog paddle style). YEA Haven!

Vampire Baby

Parker's top "eye" teeth have popped through which gives her a very "Twilight" quality.  I am calling her my little vampire baby.  

The Dish Washer

Haven told me today that she wanted to wash the dishes... well, sure thing!  Go right ahead... here is the soap, grab your stool and go to town!  I hope this lasts... 

Tea Party!

My mother-in-law and her church - Crosspoint Community Church - hosted a beautiful women's tea this last Sunday.  They went to the full extent of bringing England to rural Montana: scones with lemon curd and clotted cream, tea, finger sandwiches, salads and of course, tasty desserts!  Even Haven was invited to sit at the "little princesses" table.  

Moms Gone Wild - in Glacier!

Yesterday was one of those fantastic girl-bonding experiences that as a busy mother of two, I don't have the opportunity to be a part of very often.  Yet, we ALL made it happen.  Because a 11.3 mile hike along the great Continental Divide in Glacier National Park was calling us out of smoldering Missoula, away from our kids and hubbies, and into the wild.  We have been meeting for the past year and a half, every Tuesday and Thursday morning to tone, trim and sweat it out during Susie's (our fearless leader) boot camp.  

We rolled into the park around noon and was told by a local shuttle driver that the Logan's Pass visitor center parking lot was full, the shuttle was going to take an hour and a half to get up to the destination, and basically, we were too late and should have arrived at 7 am to successfully complete the 11.3 mile hike we had planned on.  Honestly, we had second thoughts... do we go with another, shorter hike?  Or do we throw caution to the wind and say, "heck with it!  Let's take our chances!"  I mean, does he KNOW who he is talking to?  Don't underestimate desperate women with plan.

Sure enough, we made up the winding Going to the Sun Road and into the parking lot of Logan's Pass.  There must have been 20 cars circling around looking to snag a spot.  The tension was high and you could see the mad desire to find a coveted parking spot in the eyes of each driver we passed.  I had to think quick.  I had to use what little intelligence is now left from my depleted, mother-logged brain.  I jumped out of our rig (that is what we call vehicles in Montana) and asked the first person walking down the stairs into the parking lot if they were leaving.  Sure enough - we landed a spot!  A few of us ran to the given location and stood, arms folded, marking our claim.  What luck!  What jubilation!  We were going to make it to the trail head after all!  And, as we started to cross the street to start our hike, the ranger closed the parking lot.  We had just made it.  

It took us 6 hours to make the loop.  We saw many mountain goats - two close enough to touch, a Grizzly sow and two cubs - through a telescope at the chalet we reached at mile marker 7, and millions of vermin (gophers, marmot, chipmunks, etc.).  We crossed at least 6 waterfalls, and two snow patches.  The wildflowers were spectacular and in full bloom.  And the company was so much fun!

We barely missed the last shuttle up to the Logan Pass visitor's center as we came out of our loop at 7:30 pm.  This meant, we were hitch hiking.  My first time.  But, luck was on our side today.  The first truck that pulled around that corner we flagged down.  Texas license plates and a Chevy pick-up became our white horse and our prince charming was a 70+ wirey, white haired man and his wife.  They were tickled to have six women climb into their truck bed and accompany them to the top of the pass.  He enjoyed the experience so much that while passing scenic pull-outs, he slowed down and yelled out the window with his Texas accent, "Look what I picked up along the way!"  We were all happy to see the spectacular views sitting in the back of a well loved pick-up out of Texas.  Our drivers were happy for the "great memory"( as they called it).  We pulled into the parking lot to say our goodbyes.   He needed to take a picture to show his buddies back home and prove he saved six women!  And, I wanted to capture our ending to an amazing, perfect day.