The Eighth Week Of Summer - Part Two

So, we went to Lake Erie this weekend.  The plan was to meet Jim's parents (we took his mom with us) at 2:30, Saturday,  then continue the 2-3 hour drive.  Because I am a nut, and I am obsessed with doing every fun thing there is to do this summer, first we went to Chick Fil A for lunch.  They had a lady making balloon animals and the firemen were there with their fire trucks and a "Safety Van".

I had the bright idea to suggest that Dylan get a dragon - a decision I would be cursing the majority of the trip to Erie, as the ridiculously big dragon's wings continuously smacked me in the face while I tried to sleep.  This is "Mr. Happy"...

Actually I should say WAS "Mr. Happy".  At one point Saturday afternoon "Mr. Happy" became "Mr. Sad" when most of his appendages began popping.  A little later "Mr. Happy" became "Mr. Mad", and by the end of the weekend, we decided the dragon looked more like a dragonfly.

Dylan did NOT like the "Safety Van".  They had one of the kids call 9-1-1 and report a fire.  Then, suddenly the van started filling with smoke, and the ear piercing alarm went off.  Before the guy could even explain that the best thing to do would be to crawl towards the nearest exit, Dylan was running for the door with his hands over his ears and a look of absolute panic in his eyes!  Luckily he didn't knock over a few innocent children in his haste to get out of there!

Saturday evening we went to a get together with Jim's relatives.  Actually it was a "corn roast".  Let me just say at this point that I am a city girl.  I mean, I grew up in the suburbs, and I would probably consider where I live now the suburbs, but I like being close to the city.  I am not at all "country".  When I go to the country I get confused.  "Where do these people shop for groceries?  Where is the nearest hospital?  What do they do for fun?  Where are their neighbors?  Doesn't the complete quiet get to them eventually?  And, the smell of manure?"  I like to tease Jim about Erie, because he used to live there.  He's a good sport, and usually gets a good laugh out of my country jokes.  But this time really took the prize.

We traveled down a dirt road to a huge field in the middle of no where, where there were a couple campers, an outhouse, about 50 people including many Amish families, and a donkey.  That's right.  A donkey.  I mean, really, what party is complete without one?

(All kidding aside, the get together was fun, and all of Jim's family in Erie are very nice, and I'm not just saying that because I don't know if they read this blog or not).

Dylan was on his best behavior, which was a pleasant change because every other time he's been around Jim's family he's been a nutcase.  The funniest part of the day was when I took "Mr. Happy" out of the car, asking if Dylan wanted to show him to "everyone".  Admittedly, I did say "EVERYONE".  He ran around the whole place standing in front of each and every person there until they made an appropriate comment about Mr. Happy, including all the people who were right in the middle of a softball game!

He was wired by the time we got to the hotel, (around 9:00), so we all watched TV and ate a snack until he finally tired out (around 10:15).  He woke up 5 times throughout the night, made a few noises, and went right back to sleep.  I did NOT.

Sunday we spent the day at the lake, just the 3 of us.  We swam, went for a walk to look for "shells" (which ended up being stones), looked at all the kites on "Kite Beach", went to Sara's where we ate so much not-good-for-us food that I felt sick, and made a sand castle.