Our idea of fun is to visit family that have homes near fun activities. For example, visiting my father and letting the kids run around at the linear park near his home. And if we need adult time, my father can watch the kids at the linear park while my husband and I go see a movie. The favorite, however, is Grandma’s house on the lake. A wide yard sweeps down to the lake water and a small private dock. My children didn’t remember the lake house, so they only understood that we were seeing Nana Rose at her lake house and all the fun activities, such as swimming and a picnic, that were planned. “Are we at Nana Rose’s house yet?” my six year old daughter asked. “No. Her house is on the lake.” “How do we get there?” “We’re driving.” “But how will we get there when we get to the lake? Will we swim?” “No. Her house is on the side of the lake, not actually on the water.” “Mommy, you lied! You said it was on the lake! And I wanted to go swimming to her house!” We arrived to the house from the street, much to my children’s disappointment. Once through to the backyard, they saw the expanse of water. After failing to see any slides or life guards, they decided to go in and play on her piano. That was fun for them, and getting to go to the musical later that evening with my husband was fun for us. At least they ended up agreeing that the lake house was fun, even though it didn’t float on the lake.
