The WARF

Our goal this year is to have one family outing a month doing something special and unique with our kids. As you saw in a previous post, we opted to venture to the Baltimore Aquarium for our January excursion. This time around though, we thought we might try out the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg. To our dismay, after planning for weeks, we sadly got some advice from a friend at church the night before we were planning to leave that it might not be the best option for us right now and ended up canceling our reservations. 

Although our plans didn't work out as expected, I definitely wanted to do some type of water park activity since I'd been telling Caleb for days that we were going to one. The same church friend suggested possibly trying Massanutten's water park which is much closer to us and could be done without spending the night away from home so we considered it. I also remembered one of the teens from church raving about a place about a half hour from us called the WARF that had a waterslide and pools. After researching some online, we decided the WARF might be the better option for us since it opened pretty early on week days and we could get at few hours of play time in before lunch and nap time.

Dave had already planned to take off for the Great Wolf Lodge trip, so we just headed for the WARF instead that last Thursday morning in February. We got going a little slow and ended up lost trying to find it until I called my sister to Google for some new directions since I'd gotten the wrong address. Finally though, we arrived!

For such a small area, this place was actually pretty impressive. They had all kinds of fitness equipment and classes, a large outdoor playground, a lap pool, and so much more. The area we went to had a section for smaller children with a slide and lots of gadgets that shot water. It also included a lazy river and waterslide, though the slide was closed and the kids were to small to use it anyway. It was also inexpensive; the kids were both free and Dave and I were $7 a piece.

They have several large family changing rooms which made it very convenient for all of us to get into our suits. After everyone was clothed and ready, we quickly headed out to see all the fun things they had waiting for us. Our excitement was dulled a bit though when a lifeguard approached us and told us we may not want to get it yet because they were just about to blow the whistle for break time. Since we didn't want the kids to get wet and cold for only a couple minutes of play time, we kept our anxious little ones out of the pool as they longingly set on the side eager to play.

One of my friends was having a yardsale recently where I found this adorable Janie and Jack bathing suit for Hadley. Almost as soon as we got there, all of these other mothers started talking about how much they loved her suit and asking where I found it. (Thanks so much, LeAnne! We love it!)

Finally after our late start, getting lost, and having to wait for the break, we were able to get in and enjoy! Hadley, who loves to swim in the bathtub and splash around, was in heaven. She loved every part of this adventure. So many people approached us commenting on how unbelievable her excitedness and love for the water was at her age. I was thrilled that she enjoyed it so much because, although Caleb is old enough to enjoy a lot of different outings, it is hard to find a good activity that is appropriate for a little person Hadley's age.

If you pulled on these ropes water came down. This was a particular favorite of Caleb's.

Hadley loved the slide!

She figured out pretty quickly how to jump back up once she reached the end and walk back around to climb the steps and try it again.

Her facial expressions when playing with the fountains show just how much she loves the water.

The lazy river was big hit too.

While Hadley was full speed ahead, Caleb was much more timid when we first arrived. He clung to me quite a bit, especially when we went into the lazy river, and didn't care for the water falling down on his head. This was surprising to me since he's always loved the pool in the past, but maybe he just now getting to the age where he understands there are dangers to the water as well. After a break though, the second round of water play was much more laid back and fun for him. He took a few more risks, branching off a little on his own to explore the pool.

This steering wheel made water shoot on people below. It was one of the things Caleb enjoyed most.

You can do it, Caleb!

Getting a little more brave, he let Daddy take him for a few laps around the lazy river with a smile on his face.

Now that we know this place is so close, I expect that we'll be making quite a few more trips, especially in the winter months when it is hard to find things to do. I even looked at the swimming lesson options and I may sign Caleb up for a session in April to make sure he is ready for the water this summer and can enjoy it without being too nervous. He has already been begging to return! They also host birthday parties which I thought might be good if I plan to have Caleb and Hadley a joint party next year. Who knows! Either way, I think the WARF may become one of our favorite hang outs in the future.