Kicking off Tizita's Second Grade School Year

John and I make it a point to take Tizita on a fun outing to end her summer and kick off her school year.

We both enjoy these dates with our oldest granddaughter.

It is always good to have special one on one time.

We will start the annual tradition with Soli soon, too.

Before Tizita started 4K, we took her to Build a Bear, Monkey Joe's, and mini golfing.

Before Kindergarten,, we took her to Little America.

Last year before first grade we enjoyed a day at Circus World Musuem.

This year we took her to the Dells to ride the Ducks and go to the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory.

2011 before 4K - Build a bear, Monkey Joe's, and mini golf

2012 before Kindergarten - Little America

2013 before First Grade - Circus World Museum

And finally, this year's special outing to the Dells.

We started our adventure with a ride on the Ducks.

I always enjoyed riding the Ducks and I wanted to share that experience with Tizita.

Somehow when one thinks of the Dells, it is not the waterparks that come to mind, but the old attractions like the Ducks.

And some things never change, like the driver's jokes, still lame and cheesy, but Tiz laughed.

After the Ducks we had lunch at the little Tiki bar that is by the Duck's Dock.

Tiz was fascinated with this coconut.

After lunch, Tiz spotted the Dells Mining Company.

When our girls begged to go mining, we always said, "No," but a granddaughter begs in a different way and of course, we could not resist, so off to do some mining.

For a mere $15.00, Tiz got at least a half hour of fun our of mining for precious gemstones.

She found a bagful and was very pleased with herself.

Gem mining is another "old" Dells attraction.

After our mining fun, we hit one more "old" attraction, Tommy Bartlett's Exploratory.

Again, it is a place, I remember taking the girls when they were younger.

We were one of the only about three families at the Exploratory.  I am guessing most of them were at the ever popular waterparks.  Better for us!

Tiz really enjoyed all the hands on exhibits, as did John and I.

The Exploratory is showing its age, hopefully they can make some repairs and keep it going, it is a gem in the Dells area.

After the Exploratory, we went downtown and bought some candy and few soveniors.

Then we took the Merrimac Ferry across the Wisconsin River and met the rest of the family at Blue Moon in Lake Mills.

It was a wonderful, happy day and a great way to kick off Second Grade for Tiz.