Winter Escape

February is a hard month in NY.  I'm tired of winter.  I'm tired of the snow.  I'm tired of boots and sweaters and mittens.  And to make things even more depressing I know everyone in NOLA is giving their homes a dusting with glitter and getting in gear for Mardi Gras which is just around the corner.

To try to combat the winter blues we headed to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos, since a week in Tahiti wasn't in the cards.  We did the same last year, right around the same time.

Howling like a wolf, of course!

Charlie and I kept the trip a secret.  We figured it'd be a fun surprise, so we picked the boys up from school early and just piled in the car and started driving.  We told them we thought we could do something fun and asked for suggestions.  Freddie's grand idea?  Let's go to a car wash.  What constitutes an adventure for a 4 and 2 year old was not lost on me, for sure.  I forget how easy it is to please this group.

When we pulled onto the long road headed up to the lodge Freddie read the sign. Is that where we're going? he asked.  He was excited, but I think I would have rather told him weeks ago when I made the reservation and experienced his anticipation for days and days rather than surprise him.

Coming off the big slide!

Luckily I was able to score a midweek deal again this year and we stayed just one night, which means two days at the indoor waterpark, which is PLENTY of time for us.  We arrived right after lunch on Thursday, checked into our room, changed into our swimsuits and played until bedtime.  This time I knew to pack snacks and sandwiches to avoid the expensive park food.  Technically you aren't supposed to bring food into the waterpark area, but everyone seems to have their stash.

Gotta have an icee

Sadly, Hans ended up having a cold and was really stuffy.  My mama hand told me he was running some fever too, probably right over 100 degrees.  I did what any good mama in my situation would have done:  dosed him up with Tylenol and pumped him with more meds every 4 hours to keep the fever at bay so he could somewhat enjoy himself.

Floating on the lazy river

Although most of my pictures are of Freddie, because Charlie was in charge of the camera and he ended up buddying up with Freddie and I with Hans, Hans had a fantastic time as well.  Lots of people have the impression that the Great Wolf Lodge is geared towards older kids, but there is really something there for everyone.

Freddie still isn't quite tall enough to go on the biggest slide solo, but he was fine with that.  He wasn't afraid of the slides, but he was terrified of the climb up the stairs to the top.  He was in a panic complete with tears and couldn't get into the tube to slide down fast enough.  Hans on the other hand wasn't bothered and really liked the big slides.

The confidence in the water displayed by the boys this trip was amazing.  Freddie loved getting beat down by the waves in the wave pool.  Hans jumped and splashed and totally submerged himself in the wading pools.  Their time in the water over the past year has paid off.  I loved seeing them enjoy the water.  The temperature helped, as did the zero depth entry pools which allowed them to walk into the water and it gradually got deeper and deeper.

It was a nice way to fight the winter blues, and I'm sure there will be another Great Wolf Lodge post come next February as well.  There's one opening near Boston this summer so maybe we'll try that one for a change of scenery.

In case you visit:

• Our midweek rate was $190 for a standard room.  The following weekend and the week of winter break the same rooms were running $400-600.  I would NEVER pay that, but the discounted rate was worth it.
• Bring your own food.  Eat in your room, pack a snack bag for the water park.  The selection in the park (burgers and hot dogs) is limited and expensive.  There is take out pizza which isn't too expensive.  
• Check in isn't until 4pm, but you can start using the waterpark at 1pm.  Check out is at 11am but you can stay all day in the waterpark.  We packed a bag with swim suits to change into upon arrival and then another small bag with everything we'd need after showering before leaving.  There are lockers but they're expensive and not necessary.  We just left our bag at a table with our towels and put valuables in the car.

Valentine's Get Away with my Loves

Romance at it's finest...The Great Wolf Lodge.

Sucking on their lollipops, a sure sign of a great day

 Sarcasm aside, I really cannot think of a better way to have spent the last few days.

 The food was bad.  The beds sucked.  It was expensive.  And the boys loved every single minute.

Floating on the lazy river

It was snowing outside, but inside the water park we were comfy in our wet suits and flip flops.  The entire place is kept at a toasty 84 degrees.  Perfect February temperature.

Hans was much braver than I thought he'd be.  He'd say "again" each time he got to the bottom.

There were lots of water slides perfect for all ages.  Freddie was able to go on all the slides except 2 where the height requirement was 48 inches.  He tried out the big slides and was most afraid of the long climb up to the platform to get on the slide.  I'm not sure he'll ever get over his fear of heights.

Can you see Freddie on the green slide?

He was so pleased to have beat me to the bottom

He stuck to the "medium sized" slides but also enjoyed going down some of the smaller slides with Hans.

Both boys also loved the wave pool.  A wolf would howl every few minutes and the waves would start up.  Hans had to point out the howl every single time and howl along.

There was water dumping and spraying everywhere.  I liked that several of the pools were "zero depth" entry and a couple were only 2.5 feet deep at the most, so both boys were able to walk around and play.

 

 The boys rested for meals but could have just kept going and going and going.

 

Charlie and I were very, very busy following them around.  I loved seeing the smiles on their faces, although I was a little envious of the parents of older children sitting around chatting and drinking beers.  That will be us before we know it, right?

We'll definitely head back to The Great Wolf Lodge.  We may not be able to wait until next winter.