Day 50: Goodbye Zakopane

Sadly, we left Zakopane today. But, we made a few more memories before departing. 

This morning began with breakfast at the hotel. We then packed up the car, put on all of our cold gear, then walked to a nearby area filled with snow activities. 

We started out by going snow tubing. You get carried up to the top as you sit on an innertube, then you go down a fun and curvy slide. The adults and the kids loved it. 

Next, the younger boys rode snowmobiles. They had a lot of fun, but the track was very small and the time limit was pretty quick for each one. 

We then walked over to the ice castle and the boys went inside to look around. It was fun and very slippery! The girls hung back and talked a bit. 

We then walked back to the hotel, said our goodbyes, and got on the road. We had the best time this trip and I truly believe it's because we had friends with us. Don't get me wrong, we had family time and enjoyed that as well, but there was just a lot of time where Maddie and I would have been lost and bored had we not had great company. 

We had a long and eventful drive back. As we were driving the kids were eating snacks. At that point, Maddie decided to stick an entire Belvita wafer cookie in her mouth and she started gagging. I reached back, got the cookie and other pieces out, and she continued to cough. At this point, she throws up a little bit, most of which I catch. She was upset it was on her but I couldn't do anything but wait on Daniel to pull over and help us get cleaned up. Not long after that, she fell asleep. 

I love her cheeks! 

Leaving Zakopane was sad, but so incredibly beautiful. 

We made it home after dinner and got the car unpacked and showers taken. Lots to unpack tomorrow! Although we are sad to be home, we're so happy to be back in our own beds. 

Day 49: More Skiing

This morning Caleb and I went skiing for a bit. Daniel and Madison tagged along. I went down the small slope a few times and I was not feeling it. I loved skiing in Garmisch, but the snow was a lot harder here and I did not care for that! Skiing on ice isn't for me! 

So, Daniel and I traded out and I left with Maddie while he stayed with Caleb. The boys had a blast. Caleb went down a few obstacles and was practicing his jumping; he now wants to be a professional ski jumper. 

Maddie and I met up with Allison and Jake at McDonalds. Once the kids were finished Maddie sat next to jake and laid her head down on him. She almost fell asleep, so we left before that could happen. After she counted and sang, she finally fell asleep and took a good nap. 

Allison and I were determined to have a real massage while we were here so we went to another hotel and the massage was awesome! It was a real spa, which was already a step up from our crazy lady who kept taking phone calls. 

There was a relaxing room where one waits before and after a massage and it was so pretty. Definitely a zen area. 

Once I returned back to the hotel we went down and enjoyed some dinner. Pizza was great but the kids were not pleased with the chilis (we forgot to request "no chilis").  It was too hot for them so we ordered another one (chili free).

We came back to the room and I finished up statistics homework and held Maddie as she fell asleep. That was pretty wonderful. 

Everyone had a pretty good day. 

Day 48: Exploring Zakopane

This morning the boys went to ski in another location and I tagged along with Allison and Jake to the top of a mountain here. We took the cable car up. The sights up there were amazing! We walked around for a bit before venturing off back into town.

Once into town, Maddie got a Minnie Mouse balloon. She spotted it yesterday, but I decided not to get it. Well, she spotted it again today so I gave in.

Maddie was very tired at this point and ended up falling asleep while I was holding her. She boycotted naptime later on, but got in a small one at least.

The boys had a great time skiing today. Daniel mentioned that the place was a bit harder than yesterday and the snow was a lot harder, too.

My friend Allison and I decided to get a massage here. We both agreed that this was a very strange massage we wish to never experience again. It is so different than one I would receive in the states, so I'm not sure where to even begin with comparing! Our lady took phone calls, left the lights on, and talked the entire time. For once, not knowing Polish didn't matter to someone but encouraged her to try out more of her English. 

We ate a wonderful dinner (same place as last night). At the restaurant as we waited on the check, Maddie made nice with our neighboring table and tried to blow out their candle. 

After dinner we came back to the hotel to rest. Everyone was pretty wiped out!

Day 47: Skiing and Exploring

We started off this morning with breakfast from the hotel. Afterwards, the boys took off to go skiing and Allison, Jake, Maddie, and myself went to explore Zakopane. 

We left the hotel and found a one horse open sleigh and took a nice (and cold) tour all around. It was so cool to see some of the wood work on the houses. Maddie fell asleep on me and napped for 15 minutes or so. 

We got to watch a few people do the ski jump. This was a really cool area. There was snow tubbing, snowmobile racing (think go carts back home), and skiing. 

Daniel told me that he and Caleb had the best time. Caleb would get to the top of the mountain and go straight down without turning. He would go so fast and never fall. They can't wait to go back for more tomorrow. 

After the sleigh ride, the crew that decided not to ski found the town area and walked around. I thought bringing the stroller was a great idea and it was. However, it doesn't really work when you're trying to push it through sidewalks filled with snow. I almost threw Maddie out of the stroller a few times, picked it up numerous times to move it out of a "no go" area, and fought with every tricky sidewalk possible. This fun, led me to my favorite purchase of today - Maddie's sled. 

Yep. She's in there. Under a blanket and watching Baby Einstein on the iPad. 

I loved pushing the sled versus the stroller. But, when the snow and ice are cleared from the sidewalks, the sled is incredibly hard to push. So, I pulled her behind me instead. 

We ate at a really nice place tonight and the steak was amazing. It's been a really long time since I've had one so delicious. 

After dinner we attempted to find Caleb a new set of gloves but didn't have much luck. So, we came back to the hotel and got things ready for tomorrow. 

Day 46: Zakopane Bound

This morning we set off on a 6 hour car ride to Zakopane, Poland. Once we arrived closer to the mountains it was truly breathtaking. 

The kiddos were great considering the heavy traffic at times. 

Maddie got out at our lunch stop and ran all around. She then fought her nap for a very long time but finally crashed.  

Once she woke up from her nap she was whining so I held onto her foot (the only part of her I could reach). I let go at some point and she started to whine again. I asked her what she wanted and she held her foot out. So, for the rest of the trip (about 45 minutes) Caleb and I took turns holding onto her foot. 

We finally arrived, checked in, then found our room. We have a nice suite. Privacy from the kids is a change from Garmisch and it's so welcomed! Madison ran all around the rooms then finally decided she needed to sit on the couch with my iPhone. As she did that, Daniel and I finished unpacking.

We then met up with some friends for dinner. The kids were able to unwind and burn some energy here in the hotel's restaurant. 

Once we returned to our room we each showered then crashed. Maddie fell asleep on me watching skiing and the boys hung out and talked for a bit. 

Now, it's time to rest. We have skiing on the agenda for tomorrow along with playing in the snow. 

Goodnight.