Vacation Soon!

On Saturday my family leaves for Breezy Point in Brainerd. My parents own a time share up there, and we've been there the third week of January each year since I was two. This is actually the ninth year Isaac has come with us, and Ellie's fourth! We got to know the other time-share owners for our week, and several had little girls my age, so it's always been neat to catch up with them each year and find out how they're doing.

We have a two bedroom cabin with a fireplace. My parents insist that they don't enjoy sleeping in a king-sized bed, so they give Isaac and I the enormous master bedroom (with mirrored walls!) and its own bathroom. Ellie gets a sleeping bag on the floor this year, her first that we haven't brought up a Pack and Play. There are three swimming pools in close walking distance, including one with a water slide. There is also a gym, an exercise room, Ping-Pong tables, a craft room, ice skating and ice fishing, and all kinds of activities and good stuff. I'm really excited to play Bingo with Ellie this year!

Bingo is one of my good memories of Breezy. The whole group of us would play it every year. My dad hates it, and a running joke is making fun of the excitement of Bingo. The prize historically was six-packs of pop, and for an 8-year-old, that was enormous!

My parents used to play bridge with another couple and take turns watching all us kids in the pool. One year, I logged 29 hours in the water. (That was my record - I'm still kind of proud of it.) We'll probably swim once or twice every day, and after adding in showers after each swim, by the end of the week I'll despise the feel of water on my skin.

My aunt and uncle, Sandy and Ted, also have a place up there this year. My cousin Maija will be visiting them with her husband and two kids from Sunday to Wednesday. Isaac will be there with us from Saturday until Tuesday. We usually play poker together (Arlie cleans us out!) and Ellie adores playing with Sydney and Jordan.

Sydney is 4 now, and Jordan is 6. They're really creative, imaginative kids who love to play pretend. They're also much braver than Ellie, in everything from climbing to ice skating to swimming to sledding. So basically they're good influences on her and I love it when she gets to hang out with them! I always hope the imaginations and bravery will rub off.

Oh, look at this - I did have a lot to say after all. What a surprise.