I completed my first tri–mester at St.

Catherine’s University (straight A’s on all assignments handed in for both classes, might I add) and the boys finished their last day of school…which meant, it was time to celebrate! The boys and I had 1 week off for Spring Break, which was a welcomed break.

Especially, with the wave of strep throat that swept our household. I had my first case of strep throat ever back in mid-February, only to get it again and then poor Nishad got it was well (apparently, there were a lot of cases in his school). In addition, we had Tiger at Urgent Care because he scratched his eye at school. They gave him ointment and he is fine now. We also had his 2 year wellness visit (albeit a little late) where his new pediatrician gave him a happy clean bill of health. She mentioned that Nishad was tall, but it just may be possible that Tiger will be even taller than Nishad (both our boys are going to over tower us- which is fine with me!). Oh, and we can’t forget the doctor visit on behalf of Nishad’s ear. Both my babies have never had an earache (knock-on-wood), so I thought in

stantly when Nishad complained of his ear, it unfortunately struck. However, after going to the doctor, we found out that he has impacted ear wax. Which, was frustrating as doctors in the past have told us “he’s a waxy guy” and it’s not an issue. Well, it became an issue. The hardened wax would enlarge when water seeped in which was very painful. This explains why he loves swim class, but didn’t like to float on his back. So, all in all, we made about 6 trips in one month to the doctor’s office or urgent care. I felt like we were on a first name basis.

The boys had a fantastic time in the Dells! At first, I thought of driving to Chicago, but because I would be by myself and it was an 8 hour trip, I decided to pass on that. I found an amazing water park/hotel that is wonderful because it is p-e-r-f-e-c-t for the ages that our boys are! The decore is a bit dated (as many things are in the Dells), but it’s clean, at a great location and it has a great indoor (and outdoor) water park! The boys and I played miniature golf at Timerland which only cost us $7.50 because they were free. We went to Alligator Alley (a reptile museum) that cost $13.85 for admission (Tiger was free) and food for the gators with a 35% off coupon. I left there feeling sad for the reptiles. They are in cramped spaces and the water is pretty dirty. The boys did get to see reptiles up close, but you really didn’t get a sense that the people that worked here really cared for these creatures. You could even buy a live rat or a mouse and watch it be killed/eaten by the reptiles. We bought stake to fed them- but that was still disturbing. I would pass on Alligator Alley. We played at the indoor Kalahari Amusement Park (it’s open to the general public) which only had one ride the kids were tall enough to go on (I went on it as well) which was the Ferris wheel for $6.00. In addition we played some games for $10.00 and won some really cheap plastic toys. We visited a free zoo in Barbaboo which is only 10 miles out from the Dells. I don’t recommend it. It’s really small and they have a beer, goose (not kidding), a few white tailed deer, two monkeys, prairie dogs and a goat. Near the zoo is a circus world museum. We didn’t venture that far out. If you wanted to “get away” from the Dells (as it can get quite chaotic), you could have a picnic lunch at Mirror Lake, which is on the way. When Ashish and I were dating, we rented a boat there- it was a lot of fun and quite beautiful. Of course, Moosejaw’s was still “the” place to eat in our kids eyes! Where else can you have your food delivered to you via train?

Ashish joined us on Thursday! Friday morning we went on the Duck ride, which was $40 for Ashish and I (the kids were free). They told the same jokes they were telling since I was a kid. ha! One thing I took note of was how built up everything has become. I recall being a kid and being on the Ducks on the Wisconsin River and it felt like you were the only ones out there. Not anymore. Cabins and houses are built up against the river and there is a lot of traffic on the river. We also visited Deer Park on it’s opening day. It was $40 for all of us, plus $2. per bag of food for the deers and goats.

We experienced our first 80-degree day while in the Dells! We came back refreshed, ready for Easter and a good home cooked meal (as eating out does start to get old after awhile).