A Little Slice of Heaven in an Unexpected Place

If you read my Spring Break vacation recap, you may have gotten the impression that we wouldn't be setting foot in another theme park for at least 10 more years. Apparently, we're gluttons for punishment because less than 3 months later we were back at it.


We took the kids on a mini-vacation last weekend. (I'm using the word "vacation" very loosely here). We headed to the popular destination location of Santa Claus, Indiana. C'mon... isn't that already sounding like so much fun?


Santa Claus is home to the family-friendly theme park, Holiday World and Splashin' Safari, so our kids had their fill of rollercoasters and waterslides. But, when we took a break from the chaos, we retreated to this peaceful spot...

We stayed at Santa's Cottages. (Are you getting a feel for the theme here?) Our family of 6 shared a one-bedroom cottage and lived to tell about it. In fact, it was rather refreshing to be in a small, intimate place without video games and computers. Our friends, who also have 4 kids, stayed in the cabin next to us. 


In the morning, the kids would gather on the deck and throw fish food into the lake. They had the best time finding giant catfish, turtles and a snake.

(Do not adjust your computer screen. You are seeing this correctly. There are 7 little boys. The only girl, little one-year-old Molly, missed the photo shoot.) 


Across the lake is a little play area. How adorable is this cottage?

Recycled tire "horse" swings were lots of fun...

My oldest enjoyed some hammock-time...

and the view it provided ...

In those moments, lying in the hammock, surrounded by nature, listening to the sounds of my children's laughter, I felt that all was right in the world. That this is the way life should be. Enjoying simple pleasures. Slowing down. Being still.  


(Of course an hour later we were crammed in the car for 3 hours listening to an unhappy toddler screaming his head off... but let's not go there...)


Let's go back here...

Here are a few interior shots if you're interested...

A little slice of heaven in Santa Claus, Indiana.  Who knew?




(Oh, and a little side note here:  Ladies, if you need a self-esteem boost, go to Holiday World in your bathing suit. Trust me, you will feel like a real beauty queen.) If you've been there, you know I speak the truth.