Vacation Day 4: Dutch Village, fireworks

Picture overload!  There were so many cute ones today.

The full group shot.  It's a bit dark, but the only one we managed to take.  Oh, we went to Dutch Village today.

We started with the Ferris wheel because there was no line.  Isaac loved it, as expected.

Joshua went on it with Ben, but only once.

Then Joshua went on some scooter things, where you're supposed to turn the wheel back and forth to go forwards.  He did ok.  I gave him several pushes.

We watched the Dutch Dancers.  They asked if people thought the shoes were uncomfortable and when hands were raised said that because we didn't have enough socks.  I'd like to mention that I did wear enough socks and they were still uncomfortable.  The dance was fun, although different than the one done on the public streets during Tulip Time.  Probably for the best so visitors can see multiple variations.

We went on the swing chairs.  Isaac liked it, although wished the sprayer was on.  Joshua did not like them, but at least didn't freak out.

Then the thing that spins with horses (because I can never spell carasel.  Or spinny/spinney/spiny).  I asked Joshua if I should stand by him or ride behind him and he said ride, so I got to ride too!

Ben watched our youngest member.

There was a wooden shoe making demo, along with a large shoe for pictures.  (I know, they're dark.  I'm not going to edit them though as there are too many.)

The pumpers!  This was the non-ride item that Isaac wanted to do the most.

The band picture!  We've managed to take a similar picture ever since Niagara.  The kids got in on this too.

And just the adults.

We then went home for lunch and naps (since it was going to be a late night).  But since admission is for all day, we came back!  Isaac wanted to ride the Ferris wheel and Joshua wanted to go down.  We think he just wanted to go down part of the play structure that was there.  He dragged Dusty over to the play structure, got some help going up, stayed there for five minutes, and came down.  And he was happy.

We went on the swings a few more times.

We made it over to the train.

The kids decided to try the pumping trains.  The younger girls had a hard time; the older boys did ok.

On the way home Isaac suddenly asked, "Mom, do you know someone you died?"  This was an odd question as he knows that my mom died.  I said, "yes, Grandma Julie."  Isaac then started to weep a bit because he wanted to meet her.  So we talked about heaven and how she's waiting there to meet him.  And that we get to have Grandma Pat with us instead.

Flurry survived and even came out a few times.

It was time to get a picture of the kids.  They were good sports.  Even if it was too sunny and Isaac is going to choke Joshua.

Another try.

Sparklers!

Isaac's favorite thing of the week was the rockets that spun around really fast, making a loud noise, and then shot up into the air.

Most people went to watch the fireworks.  Joshua and I stayed home; he needed to sleep and doesn't love loud things.  He might be old enough next year.

The fireworks took a while to start, and in the mean time Ben took this picture of Isaac.  When they looked at it Ben thought it looked like Isaac ate something sour, which tickled his funny bone for the next five minutes.