Legoland, Grapevine

Legoland tips...just read Tripadvisor before you go!

DO buy tickets online the day before for earliest time slot. We got the 2nd time slot at 10:15.

Cool smallish water splash pad outside. Lots of season ticket holders take advantage of this, I'm sure. We did not.

It's in the Grapevine outlet mall, which is great if you plan to do some shopping. Be aware that you may have to look hard for parking if you arrive later in the day.

The whole thing starts off with a 'tour' by a wacky professor. The kids loved this and how he explained the process of making legos. Tyler and Annie were both chosen as 'demo' helpers. They were super pleased about that. :)

Mini Legoland City WAS super cool.

There are about 3 'rides' to take advantage of!
All appropriate for these kids. I really liked that there were no more 'extra' fees inside. The kids meal was $10 each, so we left to hit up Chik Filet. We wanted those frozen lemonades anyway.

If you define success this way (see below)...This was a great trip!

L

Great Wolf Lodge!

I cannot believe it, but I did not get one picture of the actual water park inside the Lodge! EDIT! OOps, looks like maybe I can put in this video!

We left phones in the room. It was great that the 'key' was on our armband, as well as the ability to charge refreshments, meals and other things to our room. No need to wag around a phone or a bag or $$. 

After a short swim time on Tuesday afternoon arrival, we headed back over to meet Gran and Grandad for ice cream and dinner at Braum's!

Breakfast each morning was a healthy dose of cinnamon rolls and scones and strbx for Nana and Papa. Yep, a Starbucks in the Lodge. No need to leave this place!

I did not get the super spiffy room w/ the bunk beds. It was a bit costly to go here, so I was trying to cut a few corners. Now I kinda wish I had done it. We spent more down time in the room than I thought we would. Here's a little TV watching time. Wm and I had one queen bed. Tyler had another and Annie had the sleeper sofa.

the view from the fifth floor atrium area down to the lobby of the Lodge.

cool decor!

The BEST kids ever to go on vaca with!

Lots of photo ops!

The Craft room was a huge hit. Free coloring pages, Free Bingo and inexpensive crafts to paint or make.

Anticipating LegoLand tomorrow! Here's a creation of the Lodge w/ legos.

Some shopping decisions.

Story time at 8 pm was also a big hit!

hangin' w/ Papa

We spent Tuesday afternoon, all day Wednesday at the Lodge. Tho we could have stayed at the Water park the day we checked out on Thursday, we decided to head to Legoland instead. I would definitely go back to the Great Wolf Lodge.  It was so nice to not have any worries about what the weather would be like (and it POURED all day Wednesday). It was so fun to see how much the kids really loved all of it!

This year's 'redo'

A year ago in April, we finished our kitchen redo. This picture was taken this April. I still just love it. I am still 'purging' cooking utensils, mismatched coffee mugs and extra plates. 

I wish I had a 'true' before picture of this year's project. "The BACKYARD".  The picture below was taken after Wm had already ripped up most of the boards on the first deck. It already looks so pretty with new boards. We had also started in January with putting pond rock as little 'trails' from the two gates on either side of the house. I have to say...in January, with all the rain, the new dog and lots of rotten boards, I was really getting down about how ugly the yard was looking.

In the background you can see Wm sitting on our porch swing on the 'rear' deck. Can't tell from this picture, but it was in really poor shape. The plant pots were covering HUGE holes. It really was not safe to walk on.

Here's the After Picture. All the old rear deck removed, The first deck was shortened a bit. Pond rock now fills that area and plantings surround the sort of circular seating area.  

Wm strung up some additional globe lights and set up a fire pit. I love it!

When we saw that one long cedar board was costing about $35...we knew that we did not want to maintain all this decking. For $70 we got 2 yards of pond pebbles to create this seating area instead.

Below are some of the work days and the project in progress. I just finished spreading a bunch of mulch and planting more ferns. Calling it done for this yard this summer! Will address the dying grass on the other side of the seating area in the fall. I am going to try some Bermuda seed for this summer.