Earlier this year when we were discussing birthday plans for Ebby Lee’s birthday, she mentioned heading to Great Wolf Lodge. I jumped on the chance to make this birthday more of an “experience” than a pile of presents. Yes, ma’am to THAT! We invited Kensington to join us for the night and GIRL TIME began on Friday.
I grabbed the girls from school a bit early because THAT is a big deal when you’re eight. 🙂
I must tell you our family had never been to Great Wolf Lodge before this little birthday getaway. I’m not a fan of indoor pools so my thoughts on an indoor water park weren’t so peachy. But, you guys I was pleasantly surprised! {Let’s just say-after an hour or so of watching from the sidelines. I found myself racing up the stairs to ride ALL the slides too.} We had the BEST time!
First up, I made these two spa appointments at Scoops, the kiddie salon inside Great Wolf Lodge. They had facials, manicures, and pedicures. While they were getting pampered, I checked in to our room, unloaded the bags, and took a few pictures for you…
We stayed in one of the Kid Kamp Suites. It had a queen size bed, twin bunks, and a couch (that pulled out-I believe).
The girls were so excited about this little bunk area.
From the window looking back in.
When I checked in we got this little activity guide that gave us a list of all the things going on inside the hotel. If we had stayed longer than one night, they might have wanted to do this, but these girls had big agendas for our night away.
I made my way back down to the spa and found them with chocolate masks on their faces!
A super cute little spa for the kiddos!
These two were big fans of Scoops!
See how cute it is?
As soon as the spa time was over, it was WATER PARK TIME!
Remember, I was a total Great Wolf Lodge newbie. 🙂 I packed my computer and had planned on getting tons of work done, but you guys….everything was covered in water! These two took one look and were OFF!
The weather Friday afternoon was amazing so we got to take full advantage of the outside area as well.
French fries pool side…now that’s my kind of birthday celebration. 🙂
This was my view for the afternoon.
THIS….I finished Girl, Wash Your Face while they were riding the slides. SO GOOD! If you haven’t read it yet, NOW is the time!
As soon as I finished, I made my way over to the girls and took full advantage of all those water slides! We rode everything over and over again! Around 8:00 {the slides closed at 9:00} we called it a night, grabbed pizza, and ate in our pajamas in our room.
These girls know how to party!
We slept super late because of ALL THE STAIRS the day before. #nodoubtsaboutit
Then we made our way to brunch before we had to make it back to McKinney for two volleyball games. While we were grabbing our food, a group of five characters made their way through the dining room.
Oh, Great Wolf Lodge, you gave us a GREAT day full of birthday memories!
Just a little proof I got to be there too. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by today!
XO
Happy Happy Birthday Ebby Lee!!!! Looks like you guys had a great time!! We went to Great Wolf Lodge for the first time last summer & we all LOVED it!!!! My daughter & I got pedicures there, too….SO FUN!!!!!
What a great birthday!!!! Happy birthday Ebby Lee!!!!
What a great party. I'm dreaming of the day Carter picks an experience. Nope, this kid wants a party. The bigger, the better. Ugh. 🙂
What a fun birthday!!! It looks like the girls had a blast!!!
Erika, I can't even begin to tell you how much fun Kensington had. It was such a special treat for her! Thank you girls so much!!! Happy birthday Ebby Lee!
I love it that you gals did this! How fun!!!
What a fun time! My bestie and I started this tradition with our girls two years ago and it's been so fun having experiences instead of birthday parties. Plus..what's better than a weekend with your bestie. And YES to Girl Wash Your Face…so good
I love experiences over big parties and the spa looks darling! I am sure that's a night they will both remember for a long time!
On another note…isn't Girl Wash Your Face amazing! I had to pause and reread several passages because they were just so good. I realized at the end of her chapter on adoption I literally had been holding my breath the whole time. That book is overflowing with goodness!
Looks like a blast and what a special way to celebrate Ebby Lee!
Yes, we love when our kids choose an experience over a party! And Great Wolf Lodge is SO FUN! Glad Ebby Lee had such a great birthday! Those girls will remember that forever! 🙂 Simply Tish
What a fun party!! Millie Jo has been begging us to take her back to GWL!! Girlfriend loves to swim anytime of year! So glad Ebby Lee had a great birthday!
I've been trying to figure out what to do for the boys' birthdays coming up and have looked into GWL. I've never been either but I know they'd love it! That Inspired Chick
What a fun celebration!!!
One of my favorite pairs of besties – love all the memories those 2 get to make together 🙂 Looks like y'all had a blast!
What a fun way to celebrate 🙂 I am not a huge indoor pool person either but we have enjoyed the indoor water parks too! xoxo ERIN
So fun! We recently went to an indoor waterpark in Wisconsin Dells for spring break and it was so much fun! We stayed at the Wilderness, but they have a Great Wolf there too. I'm thinking of doing experiences instead of parties too. Just curious if you still have to some type of family celebration.
Hey Kristine!
If this had been on her actual birthday, then we'd have had donuts for breakfast with the family, blown out candles, and she'd have opened up her presents. {We did a few little things so she'd have something to open, but nothing big.} However, since it was a few days before we had dinner at Cheesecake Factory- her pick! Depending on our evening schedules, sometimes I have the kiddos choose their favorite thing for dinner OR we got out.
Been to GWL many times…we go early bec you can ride by 1:00 even if your room isn’t ready (which ours always has been) & you can stay til closing even if you’ve checked out! So we usually are there for basically 2 days!