Our family just returned from a quick trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Ohio.  My husband, our three younger children and my parents all stayed in a family suite there.  This was a quick, fun-filled mid-winter break.  The rooms were very nice, and the indoor water park was fabulous.  We had so many fun moments as a family and were able to make some good memories.

One thing I noticed is that the children have an incredible amount of stamina.  That place was filled with steps to climb for the water slides, water tubes, and indoor water roller coaster, and none of that phased the children.  They climbed and slid and played in the wave pool tirelessly.  David was hillarious.  He was run to the top of the indoor playground to slide down the water slides over and over.  We were one of the very few families there, so he never had to wait in line.  He would slide down, then immediately head back up to the top. 

Anne Mary is a good swimmer but she wanted to wear the life vests they had there.  She felt very safe and comfortable the whole time.  David also wore one of their life vests and he did terrific with it.  I was a little worried that the life vest would make him a little "too confident" next time we are around water, so I will have to be on guard the next time we are around water.

My parents went with us and enjoyed seeing the grandchildren.  My dad was actually roped into climbing the five stories of steps to the biggest ride - twice.  Once with Sarah, then later with Anne Mary. 

Here are the things we learned:  The week we went the place was nearly empty.  This was terrific.  The children never had to wait in long lines.  I could keep an eye on the kids from a little more distance than if there were a huge crowd. 

Get there right as the doors to the water park open if you want to use their life vests.  They were snatched up fairly quickly.  I cannot imagine how much different David's time would have been without that safeguard.

The place is warm, at 84 degrees, so dress appropriately.  Bring some kind of comfortable water shoes.  By our final morning there, the feet of some of us were getting more and more sensitive to the ground there.

Bring a water camera.  I did not remember to bring these, and I wish I had them.  I took a few pictures with my digital camera but was worried about the high moisture, so I did not keep the camera out in the humidity for long.

If you go, be aware the food in the restaurants is over priced and not very tasty.  You can bring your own food to your room (they have a fridge and microwave).  There are also a few on site restaurants (like Pizza Hut and Krispy Kreme and Starbucks) but we will probably bring more of our own food if we return.

Over all a terrific time was had by all!

Happy Homemaking!
Maia Russell