Pixie Woods

Pixie Woods is a place Taryn & I had visited on numerous occasions growing up, but hadn't been to since high school - almost 15 years ago.  It's also a place that Nonni was at on its Opening Day.  Which is ironic, as we just so happened to visit the park on its 58th anniversary.  

It's right on the edge of town and offers everything from play structures to fantasy villages to rides to animals.  Each section of the park has a different theme.  Here we are arriving at the Wood, entering through the Pixie Castle.

There were turtles (Turtles! ... still one of Eli's favorites) laying on logs in the water, baking in the sun.   And there were multiple ducks (Ducks!) too.

There used to be 3 real pigs that lived in the 3 Little Pigs' houses.  But although the houses are now empty, Addy and Eli both loved the exhibit.  The story is still one of their favorites.  At home we have a version of the book with my recorded voice that plays the story.  

(Daddy has a great Big Bad voice)  

 

Both kids were very cautious of the Big Bad Wolf (guess my acting is just that good).

We must have played on every slide, structure and obstacle the park had to offer.  Eli especially enjoyed the giant dragon and the western outpost; Addy preferred the gnome village and braved the super slide in the tall crooked house (with Daddy, of course, and I still have quite the bruise on my elbow).

Both kiddos, however, agreed that the best by far was the roller slide.  If you could only have seen Addy's cheeks flapping as she bounced and laughed her way down!

We took 2 highly anticipated rides on the Train and Paddle Boat.  

There were short waits for both, but between Nonni and random objects, there was plenty to keep Eli & Addy happy and busy.

We saw elfs, dinosaurs, neanderthals, pirates (Pirates!), peter pan, mermaids, native americans, shipwrecks, random floating baseballs, turtles (Turtles!), and an exploding volcano!
(And it was a much appreciated rest for us adults)

Here's one for the history books ...

The day was hot and bright, and although Pixie Woods is heavily wooded and offers plenty of shade, by 2pm we were all red in the face.  Even through countless applications of what can only be described as a profane amount of sun screen.  

Addy found the perfect spot to keep cool, and while Eli preferred to stay dry, Addy ran right in.

The western outpost came complete with a wagon, horses, a barn, a jail and a general store.

This is where the Bad Biddles go ...

This is Where the Wild Things Are ...

This is what happens when you spend too much time in jail ...

When we made our way to the carousel just before calling it a day, Eli finally agreed to try a movable horse for the first time.  Usually he likes to sit in the buggy and people-watch as we spin.  But one horse was painted in red, white & blue, and because it was wearing Captain America's colors, Eli agreed it was the horse for him.  Addy also took her first spin on a moveable horse and loved every second of it.

Here's one of the only full-family pictures we have!  Poor Eli was so tired by this point (Addy was lucky enough to nap in the car on the way).  On the way home we swung through Jamba and indulged in fruit smoothies.  A perfect end to a great day.

Thanks Nonni!