Author name: Karla Nathan

Our trip to Texas wasn't exactly what we had hoped it would be. But it was filled with moments like this, and that is exactly what we wanted.  

We packed up with excitement, hoping for 60 degree days. Knowing it would be too cold to swim, but planning on long afternoons reading on the beach while the girls played in the sand.  And we were thrilled to be getting away from the deep freeze of Kansas.

But it was soooo cold in Texas, we were barely able to skiddaddle over a pier to get out to a restaurant on the water.  We also had booked hotels with no indoor pools, so didn't have a sub for the sand.

Til we discovered that Schliterbahn water park was covered! We love the Schliterbahn in Kansas City and go every summer, so we thought that would be the perfect solution to battling the cold and it could save our vacation.

Once again, not exactly what we had expected. The place was draped in plastic sheeting and had heaters, but I wouldn't call it an indoor pool. And it was freezing that day, with winds coming through the gaps in the plastic. And with condensation from the heated pool that made big drips fall unexpectedly from the visqueen roof right down the back of your neck. Or into your drink. Or your iPad. 

But there was a huge table of holiday crafts set up.  The girls and I probably used enough glitter glue and pipe cleaners to make up for the ticket price to get in to the park that day.  The grand fairies spent half their time crafting, and the rest in the heated kiddie pool. We were all too frozen to go elsewhere and ride the slides. 

It ended up being a very fun day. I bundled up in a jacket, the littles stayed under water and kept warm, my husband and I sat in lounge chairs and watched them play. I heard that the raging river ride had artificial snow and was a lot of fun once you got used to the chill of the water temps, but I stayed bundled in three towels and a jacket and had my fun watching my little sprites enjoy themselves and make friends in the pool.

The park was decorated cute for the holidays, and they did their best, with themed activities and lots of space heaters. But the temps were about 20 degrees below average for that area for that time of year and I don't think the water park was meant to be used on days that cold. On a 55-60 degree day with sunshine heating up the plastic walls, it would probably be very nice. But I can't recommend it on a day in the 30s.

On our way home (all dry and warm thanks to "family dryers" that you all climb into and pay $3 to be blown dry together, pretty fun and the perfect end to a cold afternoon), we simply had to stop by the Gulf of Mexico for Dewdrop, who had never seen the ocean.

We ran as fast as we could, because it was about 40 and windy.

Because everyone knows that the happiness of being at the ocean, and plenty of giggling will keep you warm enough, temporarily at least, to visit the water.

And yes, the happiness and giggling worked.

At least for these two.  They ignored the icy feelings and waded right in. Notice that there are no pics of ME doing that??? Nope, I didn't take off shoes or coat, or get too close.  But I'm so happy that Dewdrop got to experience the waves.

And the sand.

 
And since they were wearing their Anna and Elsa jackets, they had to sing, "Do You Want to Build a Sandman?".

Because it was too cold to stay at the beach, we took them to the Rainforest Cafe, thinking that would be a real treat, but Dewdrop saw the flames shoot from the volcano on top of the building  as I walked in to check on seating, and she thought for sure I'd met a certain death.  So, a fun treat, became a torturous threat to her.  Poor kiddo.

To make up for the lack of sunshine or warm weather in Galveston, we headed up to Grapevine and checked into Great Wolf Lodge.

Where Dewdrop fell in love with the "marshmallow bears."

And story time in the lobby.

Not to mention the constantly warm, 84 degree swimming area.  Now THAT is an indoor pool!  Not a space heater and plastic wrap sham of an outdoor pool pretending to be an indoor complex. 

If we'd had any idea how well run, clean, friendly and wonderfully warm that place was, we'd have spent all of our vacation there. (and probably all of our money, it was not cheap for one night during the week between Christmas and New Years)

Sugarwings and I agreed that it was a lot like going to Disney.  I thought it was interesting that she picked up on that.  Great Wolf in Grapevine shares the same attention to detail and themes, plus caters to families and has the same welcoming service that Disney offers. It's of course, on a much smaller scale, but they sure do it right.

The lifeguards are attentive, the staff is constantly cleaning, picking up wet towels, smiling, and working hard.  I can't recommend it enough.

Over the years, we've had plenty of vacation mishaps.  Record cold in the Bahamas, a back thrown out in Florida, the flu on a cruise ship, and other small issues that could ruin a trip. 

And of course, on every trip, there are always these moments too. 

But it is the special, sweet moments on a trip that stay in your heart.  While the mishaps just become funny stories that your family tells and retells over the years.  Vacations aren't much different than every day life, just in a different location (and cost a bit more)

And when you have hugs like this, life is pretty good, no matter where you are.

Thank you so much to Christee, Caike, and Adam for letting us have this time with their tiny fairies. It was so nice of them to let us take them along.